Non-severe COVID-19 patients to be treated at 'step-down' hospitals

COLOMBO (News 1st): All hospitals in the country will be provided with their own 'step-down hospital', Deputy Director General of Medical Service at Ministry of Health, Dr. lal Panapitiya says. Speaking to media, Dr. panapitiya further stated that COVID-19 patients are categorized just when they enter the hospitals for treatment and sent to intermediate treatment centres if their condition proves to be severe. "As most hospitals in the country are oversaturated, only those who need attention and has the need for oxygen will be admitted to hospitals while others will be treated at the step-down hospitals nearby" he added.