BMA converts hospital into centre for treating Covid-19
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is converting the Bangkhuntian Geriatric Hospital into a field hospital for Covid-19 treatment and quarantine centre with a 509-bed capacity.
BMA permanent secretary Silapasuai Rawisaengsun said on Friday that the hospital in Tha Kham subdistrict of Bangkhuntian district is now functioning as a Covid-19 treatment and quarantine facility to cope with the new wave of Covid-19 that has been reported since last December.
“With each bed placed more than 1.5 metres apart, the six-storey hospital can accommodate 509 patients simultaneously,” she said.
“The patient quarter is at least eight metres away from community area to ensure public safety.
“The hospital has 10 restrooms, six shower rooms, a cafeteria, a conference room and separate staff station. It also provides Wi-Fi signal throughout the area to allow patients to communicate with staff. The hospital communal areas are also monitored 24/7 via CCTV cameras,” she added.
The BMA permanent secretary added that the hospital uses an air handling unit to manage the ventilation system to ensure staff and patients’ safety, while the exhaust air from the hospital was released via vents positioned at least eight metres away from community areas. “Furthermore, all the waste from the hospital will be treated as infectious waste under public health standards,” she added.
From December 20 to January 14, Bangkok reported 526 cases of Covid-19, 396 are local residents while 130 have travelled from other provinces. Most of the confirmed patients are linked to the outbreak in Samut Sakhon, Rayong and Nonthaburi provinces.