Madhepura hospital runs out of beds as Covid cases surge

MADHEPURA: Madhepura continues to experience surge in Covid cases despite curbs to break the chain with 299 more people testing positive for the virus on Tuesday. With this, the district’s active Covid caseload has jumped to 2,138.
Medical facilities are falling short here with the alarming rise in number of Covid patients. Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital (LNJNP), Madhepura is currently designated as Covid hospital for the patients coming from the districts under Kosi and Purnia divisions. Several attendants of Covid patients have complained of inadequate infrastructure at the hospital. Around 90 Covid patients have reportedly died at the hospital so far.
LNJNP has the strength to accommodate 102 Covid patients. All beds were occupied on Tuesday and 40 patients were on oxygen support. The hospital staff are denying admission to fresh serious patients due to lack of beds with oxygen facility.
Madhepura DM Shyam Bihari Meena had said on Monday that the sadar hospital and Mission Hospital would be designated as Covid hospitals, if required.
Sources said 50 oxygen cylinders are available at LNJNP for 40 odd patients. “The hospital needs at least 180 oxygen cylinders for 102 beds. Ventilators are also available at the hospital, but they are gathering dust in wait of operators”, sources said.
Attendant of a patient under home isolation rued shortage of steroid medicine in the local market. He had recently reserved a cab to go to Patna and procure the medicine for his ailing mother.
Ajay Kumar Sahay Verma, a lawyer, said vitamin C tablets were being sold here in black market.