To effectively manage the second wave of Covid-19 in Punjab and to break the chain of transmission, a high level meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, wherein the Deputy Commissioners, Police Chiefs and key officers of other stakeholder departments like health and medical education were present.
Mahajan reviewed the preparedness for the second wave of pandemic with each district along with their status of the vaccination. She said the second wave of the disease has already started and all DCs and Police Chiefs must ensure that large gatherings like marriages, religious events and social functions should be restricted as per the guidelines of the Government and COVID monitors should be deputed at marriage palaces and other places of gatherings.
She further directed the Deputy Commissioners and Police Chiefs to ensure strict enforcement of Covid-19 regulations at all places in their respective jurisdiction and people be educated for Covid appropriate behaviours.
The chief secretary also emphasized upon the detailed assessment of Health Care Facilities to effectively combat the second wave. She asked the officers to quickly undertake an analysis of the positivity rate in towns, where elections were held recently, to assess the impact of crowding at these places. She said that as the overall positivity rate in schools is low, hence there is no need to close the schools. She however added that the school teachers should be encouraged to get tested and eligible teachers must be vaccinated as front line workers on priority. She expressed concern that the number of cases and positivity rate has increased in the last two weeks in the state and 9 districts of Punjab have shown a higher number of cases in the last two weeks with markedly increased case positivity rate. She exhorted that a major thrust needs to be given on awareness regarding COVID Appropriate Behaviors among the community.
Hussan Lal, Principal Secretary Health presented the current status of COVID-19 trends. He shared the data about some super spreader events like marriages, social gatherings and offices resulting in greater exposure and increased positivity. He informed that 238,367 persons have already been given the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine with no major adverse events following immunization. He also appraised the Chief Secretary regarding a model which predicts a huge surge in the number of cases starting mid March to 3000 cases per day by end of March.
The virtual meeting was also attended by DGP Punjab Dinkar Gupta, Principal Secretary Medical Education D K Tiwari, Secretary School Education Krishan Kumar, Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul, amongst other officers.
JALANDHAR ADMN IMPOSES NIGHT CURFEW TO TACKLE COVID-19
Jalandhar administration has imposed a night curfew from Saturday to tackle the recent surge in coronavirus cases in the district. The night curfew will remain in place in the district from 11 pm to 5 am, said Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori. He said the order will be effective from Saturday till further directions.
Jalandhar on Friday had reported the maximum 134 fresh cases in the state. There are a total of 856 active cases in Jalandhar as of now, according to a medical bulletin. Punjab has been witnessing a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases for nearly four weeks. Last month, the Punjab government had authorised deputy commissioners (DCs) to impose night curfew in coronavirus hotspots in their districts if needed.
