BS RAWAT
The administrations of Lok Nayak Hospital and GB Pant Hospital in Delhi have announced the closure of all out-patient departments (OPDs) from Saturday after a sudden rise in coronavirus patients in Delhi.

Both hospitals have stated that they will stop all OPD services - new registrations as well as follow up of registered patients from Saturday.

"The move was made to protect patients as well as healthcare workers from coronavirus infection," the hospital statement said.

Earlier, the Delhi State Cancer Institute, Dilshad Garden, was shut down after a doctor working there tested positive for COVID-19.

The FORDA India president, Dr Shivaji Dev Barman, has written to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, "We request you for closure of OPD services in all COVID-19 designated hospitals and divert patients to other non designated hospitals."

The letter reads, "This step is the need of the hour since it will reduce the risk of spread of virus in the community and will also help in providing efficient patient care in the designated hospitals."

Delhi government has five dedicated COVID-19 hospitals including Lok Nayak Hospital, GB Pant, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, GTB Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital.

Doctors of other dedicated hospitals have also demanded early closure of their OPD services.