New Delhi, June 4 (IANS): Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday reminded all private hospitals to reserve 20 per cent beds for patients undergoing coronavirus treatment, saying if they do not agree to this, they will be converted into fully Covid-dedicated hospitals.

The Delhi government, on May 24, directed 117 private hospitals and nursing homes with a capacity of 50 beds or more to reserve 20 per cent of their total bed strength for coronavirus patients, in view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases in Delhi.

Speaking to the media, Sisodia reiterated the directions to all private hospitals of Delhi to reserve 20 per cent beds for patients undergoing Covid-19 treatment.

"The focus behind this order was to make sure that no hospital refuses to treat patients suffering from coronavirus. There are a few private hospitals which are facing difficulties in reserving 20 per cent of their bed capacity for Covid-19 patients," he said.

Sisodia said that somes of the private hospitals have followed the instructions in starting the mixed system but others are facing problems in adhering to the same.

"Those private hospitals which are facing difficulties in following the mixed system, will be completely converted into Covid-designated hospitals. They have time till Friday," he said.

He said Moolchand, Gangaram and Saroj hospitals have been converted into fully Covid-19 hospitals on Wednesday.

Sisodia also aid his government is not getting into the data or any competition with other states.

"Our focus is to save the lives of the people. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also believes that our attention should be more on helping people recover by providing them with apt medical facilities. Covid-19 cases are on the rise, and that is why we are also increasing the number of Covid-dedicated hospitals."

Sisodia said as of date, five government and three private hospitals are fully Covid-19 dedicated hospitals.

"The Delhi government has also directed 61 private hospitals to reserve 20 per cent of their bed capacity for patients coming for Covid-19 treatment," he said.

He said the intent behind doing this is to facilitate patients to continue getting treated in these hospitals after they test positive for Covid-19.

"Our aim is to make sure that Covid-19 patients in Delhi do not get to suffer owing to the lack of available beds in hospitals. Hence we are constantly reminding all private hospitals to reserve 20 per cent beds," he said.

Sisoida also said the asymptomatic patients do not have to be scared and rush to the hospital.

"Home isolation is a very good option for patients with no or very mild symptoms."

Out of total 13,497 active covid cases in Delhi on Wednesday, 3,446 are in hospital while 8,405 are in home isolation.