Pol.Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, Governor of Bangkok, revealed that as Bangkok had seen a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had been prepared to cope with the rising number of COVID-19 patients. The 2nd stage of the plan for admitting patients is to set up hospitels by converting hotels into the symptom surveillance area or special ward for the patients with an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection or those with mild or moderate symptoms so that the main hospitals have enough beds for the critically ill patients with the highest efficiency. Currently, the BMA is in the course of contacting hotels who will become part of the network of the BMA affiliated hospitals. Any hotel business operators in the area of Bangkok Metropolis who wish to be a network of the BMA affiliated hospitals and are ready to convert the hotel into Hospitel can notify the Environment Section of District Office in the area of their intention.
Setting up of hospitel is the development of special inpatient wards outside healthcare facilities by expanding area for caring and treating COVID-19 patients or rapidly increasing the number of beds in a limited timeframe. By staying in the hospitel, the COVID-19 infected persons can take care of their own health because their symptoms are mild and do not need complicated medical supplies, devices, and equipment; however, they can still spread disease to others in this period. With this, they can receive attention from medical personnel, and they can help prevent further transmission of the virus into their community. The hospiteI must pass the inspection and evaluation from relevant organizations based on the prescribed criteria.
Regarding the method for converting hotel into the hospitel, it was implemented in line with the guideline of the Ministry of Public Health prescribed that the hotel must have more than 30 guest rooms. Criteria for hotel that will be converted into the hospitel encompass 5 aspects as follows:
- Building structure and safety engineering with split type air conditioner; 2. Medical personnel and supporting officers who are well-trained on health measures; 3. Installation of necessary equipment, office supplies, and medical supplies and equipment; 4. Preparedness regarding medical supplies and personal protective equipment; and 5. Environment that is community-friendly and waste and wastewater management.
