Five-star hotels that could be used by private hospitals
With the number of people suffering from Covid infections in Mumbai exceeding, more than 98% of the total ICU and respiratory beds used, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday said it had approved two five-star hotels that could be used by private hospitals to receive non-critical patients. Two private hospitals will make available 42 beds. According to BMC, more hotels will be added where non-essential patients can be admitted. In addition, next week, the BMC plans to set up another 2,000 beds (a combination of ICU and oxygen beds).
According to the BMC, “Hotels linked to entry points will only accept patients referred to connected private hospitals. They will be responsible for providing hospitality day and night.”
The circular also says, “Hospitals will charge up to Rs. 4,000. This includes the payment of beds and food. In addition, the patient's medical expenses will be charged separately. In the event of two members from the family, they can share twin rooms where the cost will reach Rs. 6,000.” Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said, “Four- or five-star hotels will be an extension of the major private hospitals for ... Covid patients. The two hotels will start with facilities from today. In addition, 250 Covid-19 beds at Jaslok Hospital will be available with 40 different ICU beds on Saturday.”
Chahal added, “In addition to the above, another 30 ICU beds will be added to Seven Hills Hospital today [Thursday]. In addition, an additional 1,500 beds will be added to the NESCO jumbo facility next week. These beds will be fitted with oxygen.”
Maharashtra recorded a total of 58 952 new Covid-19 infections and 278 deaths, forcing the figure to reach 3,578,160 and the number to 58,804, which is the ninth straight day of more than 50,000 new cases, or just when the state began a curfew of 15 days from 8 pm on Wednesday.
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