Fars Province Makes Provision for Dealing with the Seventh Wave of COVID-19

According to SUMS Vice-Chancellor for Treatment Affairs, Dr. Mehrdad Sharifi, all medical facilities in Fars province are ready to confront the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Iran.

Plans are made, the scenario of increasing hospital beds to deliver services to patients with COVID-19 is enacted, and detailed arrangements for hospitalization are finalized to handle the situation in proportionate to the number of patients and the severity of their illness, Dr. Sharifi said. Considering the severity of the disease among children and the increasing need of children’s hospitalization, feasible plans are prepared, he added.

Moreover, as he mentioned, outpatient clinics for COVID-19 patients, including the one at Hazrate Ali-Asghar Hospital are once more set up. Drawing on the experience in overcoming the hurdles during previous waves, he explained:  The significant role of outpatient clinics for COVID-19 patients in decreasing bed occupancy rate and facilitating medical services delivery to COVID-19 patients has been proved during previous surges in cases. In case the patients do not need to be hospitalized, they will be visited by physicians at outpatient clinics for COVID-19 patients and receive medical care. 

Pointing out the rising number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, which indicates the start of a new wave, Dr. Sharifi remarked that wearing a mask in indoor settings and getting the booster dose six months after the third primary dose are highly effective at reducing the surge.