Coronavirus | 15 COVID-19 patients die as fire engulfs ICU of hospital in (*15*)’s Virar

Fifteen COVID-19 patients had been killed in a fire that swept via the intensive care unit of Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar, 50 km from Mumbai, early on Friday.

The tragedy comes lower than a month after a fire in a hospital at Bhandup in Mumbai led to the loss of life of 9 COVID-19 patients.

Palghar district officers mentioned 17 patients had been in the ICU on the second ground of the four-storey hospital when the fire broke out round 3 a.m. Three fire tenders reached the spot instantly, and the fire was doused by 5.20 a.m.

“While 15 patients died in this tragedy, the remaining patients have been moved to other hospitals,” an official mentioned. Some had been despatched to the Dahisar COVID Centre, run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and others to hospitals in Virar.

State Health Minister Rajesh Tope mentioned Mr. Thackeray had ordered an in depth investigation to establish if the hospital had adopted all security norms.

Amid the continuing surge in COVID-19 circumstances, (*15*) has witnessed a collection of hospital accidents this 12 months. Two days in the past, 24 COVID-19 patients on life assist died after a leak in a medical oxygen tank disrupted the availability of the fuel at Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik. In January, 10 infants died in a fire on the Bhandara District Hospital in Vidarbha.

PM condoles incident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorized an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh. “The fire at a COVID-19 hospital in Virar is tragic. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” Mr. Modi tweeted.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray introduced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the following of kin of the victims and ₹1 lakh to these injured in the Virar incident.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis questioned the State authorities on its preparedness and successive bulletins of conducting fire audits. After each incident, it’s mentioned {that a} fire audit will likely be performed throughout the State. At a time when hospitals are working beneath stress, the federal government appears to be avoiding its duty,” he mentioned.

He demanded a time-bound fire audit of all of the hospitals in the State.

(*15*) Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde introduced a monetary help of ₹5 lakh to the kin of the deceased residing in the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation limits. He held a gathering with the Palghar District Collector, the Municipal Commissioner and different senior officers, directing them to conduct fire and electrical audits of all hospitals inside the municipal space.

(*15*) Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray requested whether or not the State administration had learnt classes from the previous incidents.

“After every incident it is said that fire audit will be conducted across the State. At a time when hospitals are running under pressure, the government seems to be avoiding its responsibility,” he mentioned. The former chief minister has demanded a time-bound fire audit of all of the hospitals in the State.

(*15*) Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray too questioned whether or not the State administration had learnt classes from the previous incidents. “The government must immediately form a team of officials to conduct fire audits and take immediate action of problems encountered,” he mentioned.