OPD facilities to be shifted to Old STNM hospital

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK: Routine OPD treatment and consultation is being shifted from new STNM hospital, Sochyagang to old STNM hospital located in the heart of Gangtok town. The decision was taken today keeping in view of the rising Covid-19 cases being admitted and general fear among the people to visit the new STNM hospital.
Sharing the details, Health director general-cum-secretary Dr. Pempa Bhutia informed that the department will try to shift the OPD facilities to the old STNM hospital as early as possible.
It was also decided that all asymptomatic cases will be shifted to the indoor gymnasium, Paljor Stadium. Those asymptomatic patients shifted to the indoor gymnasium would be monitored by the STNM hospital team or the Urban Health team, said Dr. Pempa.
Dr. Pempa reiterated that rapid antigen testing is to be done only after six days of contact with an infected person. “All people are anxious to do rapid antigen testing immediately but it is best to do only after six days of contact. Only then the exact report will come,” he said.
Antigen test gives result within 30 minutes – positive is 100 per cent true but negative can be false negative.
“It is also heard that people who came negative in rapid antigen testing are moving around and we urge them to undertake strict home quarantine since antigen test negative can be a false negative. Any testing platform can be used but after that, isolation and quarantine is crucial and I request all to follow this. Please do not be over confident and do not go outside,” Dr. Pempa appealed.