COVID-19: 26 triage centres established across the city

BBMP proposes to set up one such centre in each ward, and has petitioned the Karnataka government for 1,000 doctors and nurses

As many as 26 physical triage centres have been set up in COVID-19 Care Centres (CCCs) and maternity hospitals across Bengaluru’s eight zones by the civic body. Another 30 will be set up over the next few days, said Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Guarav Gupta on Friday. The aim is to establish such centres in all 198 wards to manage the pandemic at the local level. According to BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) Rajendra Cholan, each triage centre has three physicians and three nurses to provide round-the-clock care. The civic body has deployed 256 doctors and nurses, but has also petitioned the Karnataka government to depute 1,000 doctors and nurses. So far, 106 doctors have already been sanctioned by the State government. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) had recommended setting up 60 such Level 1 triage centres across the city. People with symptoms can walk directly into these triaging centres and need not contact 1912 COVID-19 control room, said Mr. Gupta. Physicians at these centres will assess their condition and recommend home isolation, admission in a CCC or treatment at stabilisation centres. This will ensure that beds are allocated to people who need them the most.