The Ministry of Health and Population on Monday decided to convert all state-run hospitals of the Kathmandu Valley into coronavirus focused hospitals.

The decision of the Health Ministry comes in wake of exponential raise in the infection rate and symptomatic cases.

“We have decided to convert all government hospitals into Covid-focussed hospitals,” Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson for the Health MInistry, told the Post. “We have also directed hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley to perform only emergency surgeries so that more Covid-19 patients will get intensive care unit beds and ventilators.”

As of Monday, 111,802 people throughout the country have been tested positive with 645 deaths. In the last 24 hours 4047 people tested positive including 2283 in Kathmandu Valley.

According to Adhikari, speciality hospitals like Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center, Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, National Trauma Center, Paropakar Maternity Hospital, Nepal Mental Hospital will have to keep the patients infected with coronavirus.

“Earlier, we had asked all the hospitals to allocate 20 percent beds for Covid-19 patients, but with the rise in new cases, we need more beds. So we have decided to ask all state-run hospitals of the Valley to focus on treatment of Covid-19 patients,” said Adhikari. “These hospitals, however, have to provide emergency services to non-covid patients as well.”

The Health Ministry has also directed all hospitals to postpone elective surgeries to prevent the shortage of intensive care unit beds, ventilators and lessen the risk of transmission of the infection.