New Delhi: Amid a surge in the COVID-19 cases, the Union Health Ministry has advised the Central ministries and the Public Sector Units (PSUs) to dedicate the hospitals under their control for COVID care.

The Union Health ministry has suggested to all the ministries to declare instructions to the hospitals under their control and the PSUs to set up exclusive hospital wards or separate blocks within the hospitals as was done last year.

The Health Ministry in a statement said, “These Hospitals/Blocks should have separate entry and exit points for the management of Covid cases, to provide treatment services, including specialised care for the confirmed cases.”

The ministry said that it has written to all the Central ministries and the PSUs in this regard. It stated that these dedicated hospital wards or blocks have to be armed to provide all supportive and subsidiary services, including oxygen supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators and specialised Critical Care Units (wherever available), laboratory services and more, along with a health workforce.

In the letter written to the Central Ministries, the Union Health Secretary restated that the sharp rise in the COVID-19 cases around India calls for similar supportive action as last year from all such Central Ministries, Departments and their PSUs and the Hospitals under their control.

"For the public to avail the required treatment at these hospital wards or blocks, the Central Ministries have also been advised that details of such dedicated hospital wards/blocks are provided to the public, duly coordinating with the respective health departments of states or UTs and the District Health Administration of the states/districts wherever these hospitals are located.

The letter further states, “It has been suggested that a Nodal Officer may be nominated from the Ministry or Department for necessary coordination with the respective states/UTs for this purpose and their contact details be shared with the respective states/UTs as well as the Union Health Ministry.”

Meanwhile, India reported 2,17,353 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the biggest single-day spike ever, taking the tally to 14,291,917 cases on Friday, according to the data released by Health Ministry.

This is the second consecutive day that the India has registered over 2 lakh cases. On Thursday, the number was 2,00,739.