While about 15 first-line treatment centres (FLTCs) are currently functioning in the district, an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases could mean that additional centres would be opened up soon, irrespective of the strain it could place on healthcare staff.
About 1,152 patients, mostly mildly symptomatic, are being monitored at FLTCs, according to data from the district information office. Besides patient care, FLTCs were collecting samples for testing and could assess patients in home isolation to manage the infection at the local body level, said Mathews Numpeli, district programme manager, National Health Mission (NHM).
Additional FLTCs could place a strain on health workers, but the pressure would have to be managed either through an increase in working hours or bringing in staff from the private sector, he added.
Physicians from taluk hospitals have been placed on rotation…