The Covid-19 situation in Khulna continues to be critical, with 51 people dying in the last 24 hours along with 1,700 new cases recorded.
According to the authorities of different hospitals of Khulna district, at this time last year the average number of patients coming in everyday was 10-15. That figure has now leapt to 50-60.
If this trend continued, it would become difficult to control the situation, they said.
In light of the rise of coronavirus infection rate, an additional 70 beds have been added to the coronavirus unit of Khulna Medical College (KMCH) Hospital, taking the total number of beds to 200. Sheikh Abu Naser Specialized Hospital has launched a 45-bed coronavirus unit and a 70-bed coronavirus unit has been opened in Khulna General Hospital.
Gazi Medical College Hospital has opened another 120-bed Covid unit, making it the only private hospital in the district to have Covid-19 treatment facilities.
Also Read - Covid-19 patients forced to come to Dhaka for treatment
According to KMCH and Khulna General Hospital, the number of Covid-19 patients has been increasing since last May and June.
Separate units were opened to cope with the pressure of these excessive patients. After they were over-capacitated, the number of beds was increased for a second time.
Yet the number of patients now surpasses the number of beds.
Dr Suhas Ranjan Haldar, resident medical officer of Khulna Medical College Hospital, said: “Even after increasing the number of beds we’re not being able to cope with the pressure. That is why we are now providing treatment on the floor.”
The newly opened coronavirus unit at Sheikh Abu Naser Hospital is crowded with patients and their relatives.
Kamal Parvez, waiting at the gate of Abu Naser Hospital, said: “My father Altaf Hossain had Covid-19 symptoms. I have come all the way from Baitpur area of Bagerhat. First I went to Khulna Medical College Hospital, but failing to find a bed, I brought my father here. But now we’re hearing that only Covid-19 positive patients will be admitted, whereas my father needs oxygen urgently.”
Khulna Divisional Health Director Dr Rasheda Sultana said: “The coronavirus unit has been introduced at Sheikh Abu Naser Hospital due to the rising rate of coronavirus infections. If necessary, we will increase the number of beds.”
Asma Begum, a relative of a patient awaiting admission in a coronavirus specialized hospital, said: "After we waited for a long time, the nurse on duty inside is now saying that my husband does not require oxygen. He is a patient of the ‘Yellow zone,’ and that is why he cannot be admitted. We’re still waiting to get admission here.”
Dr Niaz Mohammad, civil surgeon of Khulna, said: “Relatives often complain about lack of oxygen, lack of beds, and non-compliance with ICU demands. The Department of Health takes these issues seriously. So, one coronavirus unit after another is being opened in this district.”
Situation in Khulna Division
The southwestern division bordering India, where the highly infectious Delta variant was first identified, has emerged as the virus hotspot of Bangladesh.
As for the situation in Khulna division, the number of Covid specialized units in different districts are 20 in Bagerhat, 150 in Chuadanga, 111 in Jessore, 50 in Jhenaidah, 70 in Kushtia, 50 in Magura, 52 in Meherpur, 120 in Narail and 184 in Satkhira. Besides, there are 500 more seats in 10 upazilas of 10 districts of the division.
However, the facilities are not adequate to tackle the dire situation, as the death toll in the last 24 hours stood at 51. On Wednesday the division recorded 60 deaths and 1,900 cases — the biggest single-day figures since the pandemic began.
Also Read - Covid-19: Authorities told to scale up oxygen supply, increase hospital capacity
The health authorities said on Thursday that as many as 1,732 samples had been positive in all 10 districts of the division in the 24 hours to 8am, taking the total caseload to 67,531.
Of the deaths, 21 were reported from Khulna, followed by 10 from Kushtia, six from Jessore, three each from Narail, Magura, Chuadanga and Jhenaidah and one each from Meherpur and Bagerhat, said Rasheda Sultana, Director of the Divisional Health Directorate.
Among the new infections, the highest, 338, were detected in Khulna, followed by 352 in Jessore, 232 in Kushtia, 191 in Chuadanga, 144 in Jhenaidah, 135 in Bagerhat, 93 each in Meherpur and Narail, 86 in Satkhira and 68 in Magura in the division.