Chief Secretary holds meeting with experts to tackle second wave of COVID-19
Chandigarh, March 7
Chief Secratary Vini Mahajan here today chaired a virtual meeting of State Health Response and Procurement Committee of the Department of Health, Medical Education and School Education.
During the meeting she reviewed and discussed with experts, the possible steps to effectively tackle the spread during second wave.
Dr. Mandeep Bhandari, Joint Secretary to Government of India, who had recently visited Punjab as head of the Central team along with Dr Lakshmi from PGIMER shared their observations that the COVID spread in Punjab is not just specific to schools alone as other places are also affected and the primary reason for surge in cases in the state is because people are not following COVID Appropriate Behaviors and not religously abiding the COVID safety protocols.
Principal Secretary Medical Education Sh DK Tewari informed that in Medical Colleges, students are getting tested every 15 days and no positivity has been found yet. He further confirmed that all Government Labs are functional for RTPCR testing with a combined capacity of more than 30000 tests per day.
Chief Secretary directed the Health and Medical Education Departments to strengthen their treatment facilities to deal with second wave and fill their remaining vacancies on priority.
Ms. Vini Mahjan said that the Government is keeping a close watch and depending upon the situation, the decision to reduce occupancy or closure of restaurants, .malls and cinema houses will be taken in coming days.
Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Sh Hussan Lal stated that the number of vaccination sites would be extended to District Hospitals, Sub divisional Hospitals and Community Health Centred to facilitate vaccination of eligible general population.
Prof. KK Talwar, Chairman Advisory Group (Health & Medical Education) Punjab Government, Sh Kumar Rahul, Secretary Health & MD NHM Punjab, Sh Amit Kumar, Special Secretary Health, Punjab, Dr GB Singh, Director Health Services Punjab and Prof. Rajesh Kumar Executive Director SHSRC, Punjab were among the other prominant officers who attended the meeting.
