Srinagar: Amid spurt in covid-19 cases, the Principal Government Medical College Srinagar ordered that all routine OPDs/ elective surgeries shall be stopped till further orders.

The Principal has also designated Drug de-Addition Centre and various rooms for management of the virus patients with immediate effect.

“In view of upsurge in the COVID-19 cases and in order to cater to rush of COVID-19 patients/ suspects, it is hereby ordered with immediate effect till further orders that Ward No. 02, 03, 04,18, 19, 20, Isolation/ Drug De-Addiction Centre, Paid Rooms, MICU, SICU, W-17 and Disaster Management ward shall be designated as COVID19 wards,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

“Ward No. 01 shall function exclusively for ENT department, besides, ENT department shall carry out surgeries in their designated OT.”

Ward No. 08 comprising of 36 beds shall be operated by Medicine (30 beds) as Non-Covidl9 ward and Dermatology (06 beds) jointly as rush increases, the order said.

“All routine OPDs/ elective surgeries shall be stopped till further orders and only surgeries of emergency nature/ malignancies/thesis related cases and other referral cases shall be entertained,” the order reads, adding, “Emergency eye cases will be entertained in H-Block Eye OPD.”

The patient load viz-a-viz duty roster of doctors and paramedical staff should be regulated and rationalized, the order reads,

“Medical Superintendent, SMHS Hospital shall take all measures to avoid intermingling of COVID and Non-Covid patients/ attendants apart from taking measures to safeguard resources/manpower,” it said, adding, “guidelines/ SOPs as laid down by the Govt, in this regard from time to time should be strictly adhered to.” (GNS)