India's Covid-19 hospitalisation rate at 5-10%, says Centre

The rate of hospitalisation was less than 20-23% seen during the second wave but the situation could change, the Centre warned

The hospitalisation rate during the third wave of Covid-19 is 5-10 per cent of the active cases at the moment, but the situation can change rapidly any moment, the Union government informed the states on Monday, asking them to make arrangements for additional manpower in case of such a rise.

The current rate of hospitalisation was less than 20-23 per cent seen during the second wave but the situation could change, the Centre warned.

"During the second surge of Covid cases, it was seen that the percentage of active cases that needed hospitalised care were in the range of 20-23 per cent. In the present surge, 5-10 per cent of active cases needed hospitalisation so far. The situation is dynamic and evolving, therefore, the need for hospitalisation may also change rapidly,” Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to the states.

Also read: No lockdown in Delhi, DDMA mulls stricter Covid curbs

The states have been asked to arrange for additional manpower and conserve the hospital resources by incorporating medical and nursing students in Covid-19 management and restricting the elective procedures.

A sharp rise in Covid-19 cases – India recorded 1.79 lakh new cases on Sunday and the number is likely to race past the 2 lakh mark on Monday – and an increase in positivity rate is being seen all over the country due to the Omicron-driven third wave and continued presence of Delta variant.

According to the National Institute of Epidemiology, India’s test positivity rate (seven-day rolling average) stands at 8.6 per cent, but the numbers are much higher in West Bengal (26 per cent), Maharashtra (17 per cent) and Delhi (15.6 per cent).

Read | Indian hospitals have plenty of Covid beds for children

With the states setting up jumbo health facilities, field hospitals and temporary hospitals to deal with the new surge, the ministry reminded them of the limitations they face in terms of infrastructure and manpower.

"It is important to conserve healthcare workers by initiating staggering wherever possible and by restricting elective procedures in the hospitals,” he wrote.

In addition, the states have been advised to earmark different categories of beds at private hospitals in consultation with their management. Also the local administration has been asked to ensure that the charges are reasonable and there is a mechanism to monitor any case of overcharging.

Retired government doctors and MBBS students are to be roped in for tele-consultation services whereas additional ambulances and private vehicles are to be requisitioned to improve the referral transport.

Check out latest DH videos here