ALL COVID CURBS IN PUNJAB EXTENDED TILL MAY 31, CM ORDERS STRICT ENFORCEMENT
Chandigarh, May 16
With the state continuing to report high Covid positivity and CFR, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday ordered extension of all the existing restrictions up to May 31, with directions for strict enforcement of all the curbs.
The Chief Minister said the DCs will continue to determine opening of shops in a staggered manner and enforce other restrictions to check spread of Covid, especially in rural areas. They can also make suitable amendments based on local condition as long as these do not dilute the state’s overall restrictions, said the Chief Minister.
The district authorities shall continue to ensure strict implementation of all the directives of the MHA/state government on Covid appropriate behaviour, including social distancing norms, regulating crowds in market places and public transport, and imposition of penalties prescribed for violation of norms/restrictions.
Reviewing the state’s Covid situation at a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister said while the restrictions so far had shown results, with some decline in day on day positivity and cases coming down from around 9000 to 6000 in this period, there was need to extend the same in view of the high positivity of 13.1% as of the May 9-15 period, with CFR standing at 2.4.
The Chief Minister also directed the district administrations to investigate complaints of fleecing of patients by some private hospitals, warning that these would be shut down if they continue to indulge in such practices. Such cases have to be strictly dealt with, he said, directing the police department to crack down on those found indulging in hoarding or black marketing of any Covid related essentials or medicines.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the spread of the new fungal disorder associated with Covid. He stressed the need to increase surveillance for this disease as, if it is not treated early, it can cause severe complications. He also directed the health department to ensure that medicines to treat this disease are available with the state. These should be procured before there is panic for these medicines as well, he said, and asked the department to also re-examine the SOP to see if there is anything that can be done to prevent this disease from occurring. Dr KK Talwar termed the fungal infections as a serious issue, which could be attributed to either high use of steroids or use of undistilled water in Oxygen.
On the availability of Oxygen, the Chief Minister said that while the state, through judicious measures, had been able to prevent any mishap, the situation should be closely monitoring by the health department. The state government had successfully arranged for PSA plants, oxygen concentrators etc which will further help tackle oxygen shortages, he added. The state was expecting over 2500 oxygen concentrators on the ground within this month, he said, directing the department to ensure the best use of the same.
Captain Amarinder further directed the Health and Medical Education departments to continue to ensure that there is no problem at any point with respect to hospital capacity, especially with regard to L-3 beds.
He asked the DCs to ensure that food kits are delivered to those in quarantine, reiterating that nobody should be allowed to go to sleep hungry. He complimented the DGP on the successful launch of the `Bhojan Helpline’.
The situation continues to be grim, leaving no scope for laxity, said the Chief Minister, directing DGP Dinkar Gupta to ensure strict compliance of the strictions, with no deviation to be allowed. While appreciating the efforts of various departments in combating the pandemic, he said the battle continues amid apprehensions of more possible waves ahead.
PUNJAB CM ASKS CS TO EXPLORE SPUTNIK V PROCUREMENT FOR 18-44 AGE GROUP VACCINATION
Chandigarh, May 16
Amid continued shortage of Covid vaccine, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the Chief Secretary to explore the possibility of procurement of Sputnik V for the immunization of 18-44 age group.
Addressing the virtual Covid review meeting, the Chief Minister said the one lakh doses received initially for the 18-44 category had almost been completely utilized. He asked Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to look into Sputnik V as an alternative vaccine for this age group, in which currently the state government is inoculating families of healthcare workers, co-morbid persons and construction labour. In the next stage, other categories, especially teachers, should be vaccinate to enable reopening of the schools at the earliest, he added.
Referring to the continued shortage of Tocilizumab, Captain Amarinder said he had spoken to the Union Health Minister and hoped for supply of some quantity tomorrow. He asked the Health Secretary to follow up on the issue with the central government. All efforts should be made to continue to ensure that all other medicines, as well as Covid Fateh kits, are easily available for Covid patients in the state, the Chief Minister stressed.
Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed the Chief Minister that were was no shortage of Fateh Kits as the department currently has a stock of 24000 with another 15000 to be ready by tomorrow. Certain districts were probably delaying picking up the kits, he added.
PUNJAB CM ANNOUNCES UNIQUE PINDU COVID FATEH PROGRAMME TO TACKLE COVID SPREAD IN VILLAGES
Chandigarh, May 16
Stressing the need to avoid the kind of situation that was prevailing in the villages of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced a unique Covid Fateh programme as part of a ‘Corona Mukt Pindu Abhiyaan’ to tackle the worrying spread of Covid in the rural areas.
Terming it a war that needed the involvement of all sections of the community, the Chief Minister directed the Health and Rural Development Departments to spearhead the campaign with large-scale mobilisation of the community in the villages.
The entire staff should be utilised to spread awareness among the villagers on the dangers of Covid, he said, adding that the Health & Wellness Clinics should become the fulcrum, and Community Health Officers, panchayats, school teachers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, village police officers, youth volunteers etc. must be mobilised on a large scale to steer the programme.
The Guardians of Governance and the Police force should work closely to make this programme a success, he said, adding that the idea is to not just spread awareness and dispel any myths but also ensure that there is adequate sampling, vaccination, etc. carried out in the rural areas.
Terming the casual attitude of the people towards symptoms like cold and cough, which they do not report timely, as the biggest issue, Captain Amarinder called for early identification of the infected people to ensure their early treatment.
Symptomatic persons should be given basic medicines like paracetamol and cough syrup, and Vitamin C, at their doorsteps, he directed, and said they should be encouraged to get tested and supported in home isolation if they test positive. He directed the health department to provide additional Rapid Antigent Test (RAT) kits exclusively for the purpose of testing in rural areas.
The department should also consider opening Covid Care Centers (L1) where ever required, with the support of NGOs, he said.
PUNJAB CM ANNOUNCES UNIQUE PINDU COVID FATEH PROGRAMME TO TACKLE COVID SPREAD IN VILLAGES
Chandigarh, May 16
Stressing the need to avoid the kind of situation that was prevailing in the villages of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced a unique Covid Fateh programme as part of a ‘Corona Mukt Pindu Abhiyaan’ to tackle the worrying spread of Covid in the rural areas.
Terming it a war that needed the involvement of all sections of the community, the Chief Minister directed the Health and Rural Development Departments to spearhead the campaign with large-scale mobilisation of the community in the villages.
The entire staff should be utilised to spread awareness among the villagers on the dangers of Covid, he said, adding that the Health & Wellness Clinics should become the fulcrum, and Community Health Officers, panchayats, school teachers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, village police officers, youth volunteers etc. must be mobilised on a large scale to steer the programme.
The Guardians of Governance and the Police force should work closely to make this programme a success, he said, adding that the idea is to not just spread awareness and dispel any myths but also ensure that there is adequate sampling, vaccination, etc. carried out in the rural areas.
Terming the casual attitude of the people towards symptoms like cold and cough, which they do not report timely, as the biggest issue, Captain Amarinder called for early identification of the infected people to ensure their early treatment.
Symptomatic persons should be given basic medicines like paracetamol and cough syrup, and Vitamin C, at their doorsteps, he directed, and said they should be encouraged to get tested and supported in home isolation if they test positive. He directed the health department to provide additional Rapid Antigent Test (RAT) kits exclusively for the purpose of testing in rural areas.
The department should also consider opening Covid Care Centers (L1) where ever required, with the support of NGOs, he said.
