Coronavirus Outbreak: Indian Railways to convert coaches into isolation wards
In the wake of rising coronavirus cases in India, the Indian Railways has been advised to develop a prototype coach that can be used as an isolation ward for the coronavirus patients. Meanwhile, the Zonal Railways have been asked to convert the non-AC coaches into isolation wards.
The Southern Railways circular said that the strategy is to have one patient in one cabin of the coach and if the situation demands then two patients in one cabin.
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Meanwhile, the middle berth has been removed from 1 side. Likewise, all 3 berths removed in front of a patient berth, all ladders for climbing up the berths have been removed. The bathrooms, aisle areas and other areas have also been modified to prepare Isolation Coach.
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The circular added that the coaches which have exceeded over 20 years may be taken for the conversion. The materials required to convert more coaches should be kept ready.
Likewise, the PTI reported that the Northern Railways has been given the task to conduct a study to ascertain if it can modify the non-air conditioned coaches and cabins as isolation wards to curb coronavirus patients. The Indian Railways, that runs 13,523 trains daily, has suspended all the passenger services till April 14 due to the nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a preventive measure to limit the spread of coronavirus in the country.
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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday stated that the total number of Coronavirus positive cases rises to 873 (including foreign nationals; 79 people cured/discharged, 19 deaths).149 new coronavirus positive cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.
