Worried over the spike in COVID-19 infections, Bangladesh health authorities fear that intensive care units (ICUs) in major cities may soon run out of their full capacity, reported Dhaka Times. Already Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet are operating at near full capacity.  

The situation could worsen in the coming days, officials warn.

Eight government hospitals in Dhaka have 103 ICU beds, among them, 92 are already occupied, while at private hospitals, out of 267 available units, 210 are occupied by critically ill patients, revealed the country’s Directorate of Health Services (DGHS). 

In Chittagong, of the total 25 government hospital ICUs, 15 are occupied and in private hospitals, 20 out of 25 ICUs are occupied, according to the DGHS.

The Sylhet office of the DGHS said 10 beds functioning in the city were occupied. 

Last year, these cities had reported the most infections. Officials fear the situation might become worse this year. 

Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), which has 750 bed reserved for COVID-19 patients, are now operating on a prior appointment basis. “We are forced to give people appointments for ICU beds now,” the director of the hospital said. 

Also, a fire incident in the hospital’s ICU ward last week severely affected its capacity.