550 beds readied to anticipate COVID-19 spike in Banjarmasin

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Head of Banjarmasin City Health Agency said as many as 550 COVID-19 patient beds are readied to anticipate the surge in COVID-19 cases.


According to him, Banjarmasin is preparing itself in case there is a spike in COVID-19, one of which is a total of 550 beds in all hospitals, both government-owned and private.

"Private hospitals in our city are ready to prepare 50 percent of the total beds for COVID-19 patients, initially only 20 percent," he said.

After the city government held a meeting with all hospital directors, said Machli Riyadi, all were committed to helping the handling of COVID-19 patients to the maximum. There was even a private hospital that was ready to provide 100 percent of beds to treat COVID-19 patients.

The city government's own hospital, Sultan Suriansyah Hospital, said Machli Riyadi, has increased a capacity from 17 to 50 beds.

In addition, he said, the city government plans to build emergency hospital, using the Social Education and Training Center building.

Meanwhile, the city Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) also helped prepares emergency tents for COVID-19 patients, which could accommodate at least 60 patients.

Currently, he said, 50 percent of beds in the city hospitals were filled with COVID-19 patients.

He kept urging the public to remain disciplined in adhering to health protocols, especially since the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Until yesterday, Machli Riyadi said, active cases in the city reached over 400, because in the last few days it was increasing above 100 cases every day.

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