Chiang Mai Province is currently working on a plan to establish a field hospital with 2000-3000 beds at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center in Chang Phueak should coronavirus cases spike and extra beds are required.
According to a report from MGROnline, Chiang Mai currently has 22 ICU beds to treat patients with severe cases of COVID-19 at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital and 15 in Nakong Ping Hospital. There are currently plans to increase that number to 93 by May.
In addition, there are currently 240 beds available in hospitals, excluding community hospitals for those that have less severe symptoms. That is currently being expanded to 260. It’s not clear if that includes all major hospitals in the province or only public hospitals.
The plan to establish a field hospital at the convention center has already been allocated a 12 million baht budget for planning.
According to the plan, the field hospital would be divided with one area allocated to those with very serious symptoms with ICU support. Other areas in the center would be allocated based on need with an emphasis on separating the elderly from those with less severe symptoms.
The province itself continues to encourage all to follow recommendations particularly on social distancing and other recommendations made by health officials.
The fact that plans are being made is one hand deeply disturbing but likewise credit is due for them at least developing plans now for a possible major outbreak.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
