With coronavirus infections beginning to rise again in the city, the state government has decided to reopen three Covid Care Centres in the next few days.
Soon after taking part in a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is said to have instructed the BBMP officials to reopen the centres.
The centres, opened by the dozens last year, were used to provide care to asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients. They had helped reduce the burden on hospitals.
The first three CCCs to be reopened will be at Haj Bhavan, near Hegde Nagar, Koramangala Indoor Stadium and a centre funded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Speaking to reporters at the Vidhana Soudha after the video conference, Yediyurappa said the prime minister had asked for chalking out a special action plan to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Bengaluru.
"We have decided to reopen the Covid Care Centres in various parts of the city. I have already told the officials to make preparations for reopening them as cases have begun to shoot up. In the last few days, especially since March 15, the positivity rate in Bengaluru has hovered around 1.65 per cent," he said. "We need to be prepared for any medical eventuality."
Rajendra Cholan, Special Commissioner (Health), BBMP, said all the CCCs set up in the city last year could be reopened. The BBMP joint commissioners have been instructed to compile reports on how many beds and staff would be required for each facility. "We hope to reopen the centres in the next two to three days. We will have all the necessary facilities such as beds, fans, etc,” he added.