Kolkata: Isolation units are back at several city hospitals. A surge in influenza, swine flu and multiple other viral infections has led the hospitals to reintroduce them to prevent transmission, for the first time since Covid. While a couple has created ‘fever clinics’ at their emergency sections, like they had done during the pandemic to screen patients, others have launched proper isolation wards for those with symptoms of influenza.Peerless Hospital, where a woman succumbed to swine flu a week ago, has revived two single-bed isolation cabins for two swine flu patients now admitted. These cabins were introduced during Covid. “These were the first isolation units at the start of the pandemic and we have revived them to accommodate infectious diseases patients. There has been an increase in number over the last fortnight and we may open a full-fledged isolation ward if the spike continues,” said Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipta Mitra. Manipal Hospitals has introduced isolation wards across its four units at Dhakuria, Mukundapur and Salt Lake. “We have earmarked twin-bed isolation rooms at Mukundapur and Salt Lake units,” said a Manipal representative. Ruby General Hospital has two isolation beds for two influenza patients now admitted. “We had a swine flu patient who was discharged on Sunday. Since there has been a steady flow of influenza A and swine flu patients for a month, it has become necessary to isolate them to prevent transmission,” said Ruby general manager – operations Subhashish Datta. “Swine flu or H1N1 is extremely contagious and could turn out to be severe in children and the elderly who have lower resistance. Seasonal influenza is contagious, too, so patients need to be isolated. Doctors at the ward have been using masks and sanitizers like they did during Covid,” said Manipal Hospital infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. Charnock Hospital has received multiple pulmonary infection cases, apart from influenza A patients. “These patients are being admitted in our respiratory care units, both ICU and wards” said Charnock MD Prashant Sharma. RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) has two influenza patients admitted but doesn’t have any swine flu patients. “We have started isolating them. Seven isolation beds have been set up at a separate ward where we have influenza patients now,” said Narayana Hospitals COO R Venkatesh.BP Poddar Hospital has started a fever clinic at its OPD where those with fever and influenza symptoms are being screened and treated. “We have a 35-bed isolation unit where influenza and swine patients are being admitted. It is fully occupied,”said group advisor Supriyo Chakrabarty.
