The number of hospitalizations from Covid-19 in the country has increased compared to last month, but hospitals are yet to be tested by the rising number of patients.
Most healthcare facilities still have plenty of beds, intensive care units (ICUs) and oxygen facilities available, but they may start to feel the pressure if the Covid-19 infection rate is not brought under control soon, experts and health officials have said.
Omicron is gradually taking over from Delta as the dominant Covid-19 variant in the country, and the greater infectiousness of the variant makes it imperative for people to wear masks, use hand sanitizers, and follow other health rules, they added.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Line Director (Disease Control) Dr Md Nazmul Islam confirmed that Omicron was gradually displacing Delta, and that the number of hospitalizations was increasing.
“If you do not follow health rules, the number of patients will continue to increase and this will increase the pressure on hospitals,” he added.
Hospitalization rises by 250%, but most beds remain vacant
According to DGHS data, the number of patients undergoing treatment at hospitals for Covid-19 more than doubled from January 1 to January 22. However, more than 80% of hospital beds in the country remain available.
On January 1, a total of 926 patients were undergoing treatment in Covid-19 general wards, ICUs, and High Dependency Units (HDUs) across the country. On January 22, as many as 2,395 Covid-19 patients were hospitalized.
At the beginning of the month, 94% of general beds, 89% of ICUs, and 91% of HDUs dedicated for Covid-19 patients were vacant. On January 22, the number of vacancies in general, ICU and HDU beds dropped to 84%, 81%, and 84%, respectively.
There are 32 public and private Covid-19 hospitals in Dhaka. They include 4,736 general beds, 778 ICU beds, and 520 HDU beds.
On January 22, there were 3,455 general beds, 639 ICU beds and 425 HDU beds available in the capital.
Professor Robed Amin, line director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) unit of DGHS, told Dhaka Tribune the number of Covid-19 patients coming to the hospitals has been increasing since the last week of December. The infection rate was 16.82% on January 16, and it rose to more than 28% by January 22.
“Demand for hospital beds is increasing, but the number of beds in the general wards and ICUs of different hospitals has increased in the last few weeks. We have enough stock of high flow nasal cannula and oxygen concentrators, which is a very positive sign. But we want to emphasize mass awareness to tackle any upcoming Covid situation,” he added.
Professor Nazrul Islam, noted virologist and member of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19, spoke of the high demand for ICUs during the peak of the pandemic last year.
“Relatives of patients were posting on Facebook that they could not find any ICUs anywhere. However, the current Covid situation is far removed from that level,” he said.
The virologist again stressed the need to wear masks, wash hands, and maintain social distancing.
“There is no alternative to wearing a mask. It is important not only to protect yourself, but also to protect others,” he added.
