Keshab Raj Paudel, Kathmandu, Dec.29: With the increase of recovery rate of COVID-19, about 80.5 percent Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and ventilators dedicated for patients of the disease have become vacant across the country.  

According to Ministry of Health and Population, 1194 out of 1,482 ICU beds and ventilators are lying vacant.

Assistant Spokesperson of the ministry Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari said, only 288 patients have been receiving treatment in ICU beds and ventilators so far. Among them, 235 and 53 patients are in ICU and ventilators respectively.

A total of 959 ICUD beds and 423 ICU beds with ventilator facility were allocated for the COVID-19 patients. Of them, 724 ICU beds and 370 ventilators are lying vacant.

Spokesperson Dr. Adhikari added that the ministry has removed private hospitals from the list of COVID-19 Hub Hospitals after the pressure of COVID-19 patients become very low.

Following the removal of 27 private hospitals from the list of COVID-19 Hub Hospitals, the COVID-19 patients have been receiving treatment in 52 governmental hospitals.  

Ministry said that a rapid decreasing pattern of COVID-19 patients have been recorded for a month. It has been said that ICU beds and ventilators are lying vacant as most of all patients of COVID-19 had opted for home isolation.