Srinagar, Jul 16: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday called for increasing RT-PCR testing in the areas reporting high COVID positivity and asked the officials to explore ways of prevent crowding at the religious-, market- and public-places.
Interacting with the senior officials, Deputy Commissioners and SPs at the Covid Task Force meeting, the LG took an assessment of health infrastructure, oxygen plants and measures being taken to contain the spread of coronavirus, an official press release said.
It said the LG reviewed the progress of vaccination, positive cases in the districts and steps taken to further strengthen the measures during post-unlock period.
“Test-Track-Treat and now, Teeka are long-term solutions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Panchayats with large number of positive cases should be paid special attention to set up micro containment zones,” observed the LG.
He also passed specific directions for increasing RT-PCR tests in areas with high positivity rate, and directed the officials to be well-prepared in advance to deal with the possible 3rd wave or any future health emergencies.
“Health experts have cautioned the world against the third wave of COVID. We need to be vigilant and put our all-out efforts to save precious lives by intensifying vaccination drives, increasing testing, improving contact tracing, ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour being followed by the people, besides focusing improvements in all critical factors of preventive-care, effective clinical- and patient-care management,” maintained the LG.
On being informed about the 13 districts now having completed the 100 percent vaccination of 1st dose in 45 and above age group, the LG congratulated the DCs, health functionaries, frontline health workers of these districts and asked the remaining districts to put some extra effort to ensure that the target population would be vaccinated at the earliest.
Speaking on the efforts being made by the government for the advancement and development of the health sector, the LG observed that J&K has recorded significant improvements in different health indicators.
Taking strict note of the people flaunting Covid protocols, the LG directed the DCs and SPs to ensure adherence of Covid-appropriate behaviour, following of Covid protocols like wearing face masks, and implementation of restrictions and guidelines in their respective districts, especially in tourist places, the press release said.
“Explore innovative ways to restrict crowding in dense areas, besides putting more focus on religious places, market and public places,” added the LG.
He called for devising a responsive information mechanism so that correct and timely information shall reach the people from authoritative sources. “Publicize the availability of vaccination in centres in advance for the convenience of the people,” he added.
Taking stock of the functionality of oxygen generation plants, the LG advised for utilizing available oxygen capacity for effective functioning of ICUs at district hospitals. This will also reduce the referrals of patients to the GMCs, he added.
Discussion was also held on prioritizing vaccination in colleges and universities, the press release said.
It said the LG also passed specific directions to the DCs and SPs pertaining to other issues of public importance.
Taking festive season into consideration, the LG directed for keeping a strict check on the prices of the commodities. He further directed the DCs to identify accident-prone areas in their respective districts and take preventive measures.
The LG advised the DCs and SPs to use official media platforms to counter misinformation intended to disrupt peace or hurt religious sentiments.
Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department gave a detailed briefing on various critical factors of the Covid management.
He informed that the positivity rate in J&K has reduced to 0.3 percent, besides 18 districts are in Green Zone as per new set indicators with 99 percent population in 45 and above age group is now vaccinated with 1st dose.
