Amid the recent surge in covid positive cases and Omicron threat, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today chaired a virtual meeting regarding containment of covid and preparation for tackling third wave of covid-19 with Deputy Commissioner and Senior Health Officers of HME.
The meeting was attended by Director SKIMS, all DCs with CMOs, Principal GMC, CEO, J&K ERA; MD, National Health Mission; Principals of SKIMS Bemina, GMC Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla; Director Health Services Kashmir; GM J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Kashmir; Incharge Divisional Covid Control Room Kashmir; Epidemiologist, DCCRK; MS SKIMS, SMHS, JVC, Bone & Joint Hospital, Kashmir Nursing Home, JLNM; Assistant Director, Immunization and Family Welfare Kashmir and other officers.
During the meeting, Divisional Commissioner enjoined on DCs to prioritize containment of covid and focus on tackling surge of cases.
He directed them to visit health institutions along with CMOs to boost moral of the medical and paramedical staff which would motivate them to manage patients and covid properly.
He directed DCs to constitute teams who would distribute covid kits to the covid positive patients at home.
He also stressed on delay in elective surgeries in view of surge in cases so the health care system is not constrained.
He also directed to reactivate PanchayatCovid Care Centres established during the second phase which would help in enhance the capability of district administrations to manage third wave.
He further stressed on restoration of all the equipment used during the 2nd wave without wasting any additional time.
Meanwhile, Div Com said that during the current phase of covid 19 pandemic, symptoms are mild in nature and so the home isolation cases shall be more while volume of hospitalization would be minimum.
However, he directed all to be prepared for any exigency.
He further directed for the engagement of staff of other departments for non-medical purposes including distribution of testing kits, assisting control rooms and managing containment zones.
Meanwhile, the administration informed that 1695 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19), 812 from Jammu division and 883 from Kashmir division, have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 348201.Also, 01 Covid death has been reported from Jammu Division.
Moreover, 262 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from various hospitals including 140 from Jammu Division and122 from Kashmir Division.
The bulletin informs that no new case of Mucormycosis has been reported today.
On COVID vaccination, the bulletin informs that 71,541doses of COVID vaccine have been administered in the last 24 hours bringing the cumulative number of doses administered across J&K to1,95,81,977.
Also, the valley-based doctors advised people to take precautions to protect themselves from the new variant of Covid-19.
“Simple precautions would help prevent the spread of the variant,” they said.
They said people should continue wearing masks as they are effective at reducing the risk of contracting or spreading Covid-19 including Omicron.
“Masks act as barriers, trapping and filtering out virus particles from the air we breathe,” they said.
“If the infected person wears a mask, that reduces the risk of infection to those around them. If the uninfected person wears a mask, that reduces the risk of infection to them from the infected person,” he they.
They said people are advised to avoid crowding and gatherings.
“Crowding puts you at higher risk of getting Omicron and it increases the chances for the virus to spread in the community,” he said.
“If you are down with respiratory symptoms, self-isolate and get tested,” they said.
“If your test turns positive, report to the health authorities for tracing your contacts,” they said.