Covid-19: Hospitals are becoming high-risk zones for infections

Team Udayavani, Apr 24, 2020, 1:29 PM IST

Healthcare workers go to clinics, hospitals, and other high-risk environments and are more prone of becoming the victim of Covid-19. Around 57 healthcare workers, including 21 doctors at the Delhi-government run Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini, are being tested for Covid-19 after coming in contact with a suspected patient in the emergency department last week.

Hospitals are becoming high risk areas because not all the patients are tested before entering hospitals. It is extremely important to screen at all entry and exit points of any hospital. Also health departments must differentiate Urgent And Non-Urgent Care Of Patients.

There is a risk of contamination while transporting infected patients from isolated areas. Hence, healthcare workers must follow protective measures. Healthcare workers in moderate or high-risk areas should always remain in PPE during their entire shift and only highly trained personnel must be allowed to treat infected.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) must be provided to all the staff, as currently only the healthcare workers in Covid-19 wards wear the full PPE kits.