JAMMU TAWI, APRIL 21: In a bid to intensify its efforts against the spread of Covid, J&K administration today stated that it is working on a 5 pronged strategy to contain the spread of corona virus in J&K.
Financial Commissioner, H&ME, Atal Dulloo expressed that the situation is challenging but not out of control. He said that J&K has made ample preparations to meet the challenge. He gave out that the department is working on a 5 pronged strategy to restrict the spread of virus.
ON TESTING AND CONTAINMENT: Duloo said that 40,000 tests are being conducted per day of which 10,000 are Rapid Antigen Tests and 30,000 RTPCR. “Our testing rate is 2500 per million,” he said.
“RTPC facility has been set at all the medical colleges including the new ones established recently,” he said. “One RTPCR machine has been installed at SKIMS Soura, one more will be installed at GMC Jammu and another one at GMC Srinagar very soon.”
The Financial Commissioner all the travelers are being tested without any fail. “In April, 1, 64000 contacts were traced, 120 containment zones identified and 32000 tests conducted in containment zones of which 1680 were found positive. He said that at present there are 12600 people who are in home isolation and 860 patients are admitted in various hospitals of which 48 are on ventilators and 534 on oxygen support. About the bed capacity, he said that there are 6000 beds available in J&K hospitals exclusively for Covid patients. “Occupancy rate is 13 percent,” he said.
ABOUT OXYGEN SUPPLY: Duloo said that there are 2500 oxygen supported beds and 534 beds are occupied. “We have 10,000 oxygen cylinders available and 3500 medium cylinders as well. Oxygen generation plants will come in all district hospitals, associated hospitals and also at sub-district hospitals. Of the total 36 hospitals, at the 23 hospitals oxygen plants have been either installed or are being installed,” he said, adding that with the fresh move, there will be an addition of 2000 oxygen supported beds soon.
Besides, all the hospitals have adequate supplies of Personal Protection Kits, N-95 masks, glove's, sanitizers and other preventive kits.
COVID APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR: Dullo said this is the vital tool to fight the pandemic. “We must maintain a social distancing of two meters, wear masks and do frequent hand washing. Mask is a social vaccine,” he said.
VACCINATION: The Financial Commissioner said that 17,50,000 doses of vaccines have been administered to the people of J&K so far. “74 per cent health care workers have been covered, 77 per cent front line workers have also been covered, 3.6.7 per cent people who are above 45 years of age have also been administered the jabs. Earlier, there were some misconceptions about the vaccine but they all were false,” he said. Asked whether the government was getting supplies of vaccines, he said at present there is an availability of two lakh does and supplies reach after every two days.
“There are 1408 vaccination centers in J&K and the plan is to increase the number to 3000,” Duloo said.
UK AND OTHER NEW COVID VARIANTS: So far, RTPCR tests are detecting positive cases effectively, Duloo said. He said that 28 cases of UK and new Covid variants have been detected in Jammu and no new Covid variant has been detected in Kashmir.
Principal Secretary Information & PDD, Rohit Kansal gave out that the misconceptions among the people are going away and people are coming forth for receiving the dose of vaccine. He said that additional check posts have been created at Lakhanpur, Samba, Lower Munda enroute National Highway to double check the testing done on incoming travellers besides at Railway Stations and airports. He said that the rate of testing is one of the best in the country and other facilities created are also up to mark as per international requirements and standards.
The Secretary Disaster Management said that from today onwards orders have been issued to ensure occupancy of 50% capacity in all public transport vehicles. He said that police have been instructed to keep a check on violators and impose fine wherever required. He said that other guidelines have also been issued in respect to holding of gatherings both indoor and outdoor besides for the opening of markets and other public places. He stressed that SOPs should be followed in all places & in all situations without any excuse or laxity.
Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo; Principal Secretary Information & PDD, Rohit Kansal; Secretary DMRR&R, Simrandeep Singh and Mission Director NHM, Choudhary Yasin briefed the media during this press conference.
