Andhra orders all hospitals to reserve half the beds for COVID

Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Hyderabad, May 7

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Friday said that no COVID-19 patient would struggle for a bed. He has directed all Arogyasri Hospitals to provide beds to COVID patients without fail.

The state has empanelled all major hospitals to provide 50 per cent of the beds to coronavirus afflicted patients.

All temporarily empanelled hospitals and non-empanelled hospitals that have been notified by the Collectors of all districts have been directed to provide 50 per cent of the beds to COVID patients.

“Don’t show any laxity towards hospitals that violate the directive, take strict action to serve as an example for to others”, he told the officer while reviewing the arrangements.

Andhra Pradesh has announced free medical treatment to all COVID patients. The Chief Minister added that all hospitals should be temporarily empanelled for this purpose, and all COVID patients should be provided free medical treatment under 'Arogyasri'.

Jagan announced that the state was conducting a record number of tests, and the situation "would soon be brought under control".