RIGA, Nov 1 (LETA) - The Riga City Council social affairs committee today supported the decision to open additional Covid-19 beds in Riga Hospitals No. 1 and No. 2.

Each of the hospitals will open 150 Covid-19 beds.

Even though last week the Riga City Council supported opening 50 beds for Covid-19 patients and engagement of both hospitals in admission of other patients, thus, easing the workload of university hospitals, the Welfare Department director Irena Kondrate informed lawmakers that the Health Ministry has asked the Riga City Council to increase the number of Covid-19 beds in its hospitals.

The draft decision also provides that if state funding is not allocated for oxygen system at the Riga Hospital No.2, funds will be allocated from the municipal budget.

The final decision has to be made by the Riga City Council on November 2.

Kondrate said that state funding for treatment of Covid-19 patients is received with a delay. Riga Hospitals No.1 received funding for patients treated in spring only now.

Meanwhile, only 16 out of 150 beds at Riga Hospital No. 2 have oxygen supply. The hospital has asked the government for additional funding, but it has not been allocated.