A total of 111 isolation beds have been established in different hospitals of Gandaki state. The beds have been set up as preparedness to the possible spread of Coronavirus.

The Western Regional Hospital in Pokhara has prepared a 10-bed isolation room equipped with all required expert services. Likewise, other hospitals with isolation bed facility are in Manipal teaching hospital, Gandaki medical college, Charak memorial hospital, GP respiratory treatment centre in Tanahu, according to Director of the State Health Directorate, Pokhara Dr Binod Bindu Sharma. All hospitals, government and private, with more than 50-bed capacity have been asked to set up at least a five-bed isolation room.

District hospitals in Syangja, Parbat, Baglung, Lamjung etc. have also set up isolation rooms. The isolation beds could be increased as per the need, said Director of Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences, Dr Arjun Acharya.

Meanwhile, health help desks have also been set up at various locations to screen people for possible COVID-19 infection. Such desks have been set up at Pokhara airport, Barahi chowk of Lakeside, Pokhara, Burtibang in Baglung, Anbukhaireni of Tanahu, Galyang of Syangja, Jomsom airport and Muktinath of Mustang, Gandak barrage of Nawalparasi and Gaindakot of Nawalpur.