JAMMU – The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration on Saturday directed officials to establish check points for screening of passengers suspected for deadly coronavirus infection.
In a handout issued here today, an official spokesperson said that Chief Secretary J&K, B V R Subrahmanyam, today convened a meeting with divisional administration to assess precautionary measures being initiated to prevent the spread of Corona virus.
Subrahmanyam directed to put in place check points with deployment of team of doctors at railway stations, airports, bus stands and entry points of J&K (Lakhanpur) for screening of passengers for coronavirus.
“He emphasized the need to educate people about symptoms and precautionary measures regarding this virus. He asked the concerned to check whether any passenger is travelling here from Corona affected countries,” the handout read.
He also directed that arrangements be made for ensuring that if any person shows symptoms of coronavirus during screening, then the victim should be kept in the hospital.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh besides MD National Health Mission, Principal GMC Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Director Health Services, SSP Jammu and other concerned officers while Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, IGP Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Kathua along with other concerned officers attended the meeting through video conferencing.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan today visited Airport and inspected ground zero arrangements made by the administration to stem the COVID-19 disease at initial level.
The preparedness and arrangements are put in place for screening the passengers and tourists which are arriving daily by air to Srinagar airport.
He was informed that five help desks have been established at Srinagar Airport with adequate number of doctors, paramedical staff, Infra-red thermometers, viral kits, personal protection gears, special ambulances and other equipment.
“The Divisional Commissioner devised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). He directed Airport Authority to announce in all flights that every passenger has to record travel history at coronavirus help desks in a prescribed format before leaving the premises,” an official spokesperson said.
Khan said that the passengers coming from coronavirus affected countries should be properly screened and tested at the help desks.
“He directed the concerned that passengers having symptoms of Coronavirus should be immediately send to quarantine and the desks should share details to the higher authorities on hourly basis,” the spokesperson said.
“The Divisional Commissioner inspected all coronavirus help desks and enquired about the staff strength, equipment, advisory notes and other measures. He asked Health Services to augment more staff at help desks with necessary equipment,” he added.
He also inspected Foreigners Registration and Facilitation Counter and issued on spot directions for outside visitors.
The Divisional Commissioner also visited Maternity Centre, Sanat Nagar which has been converted into Isolation Hospital.
He also inspected various ward of the hospital including Microbiology lab, and other rooms to review arrangements put in places for the treatment of the disease.
Khan directed the Health authorities to deploy additional and dedicated staff in the Isolation hospital so that infected patients, if any, get hassle free treatment.
Later, the Divisional Commissioner convened a meeting with Senior Officers of Health institutions to review the preparedness for Coronavirus.
The meeting was informed that daily surveillance of Respiratory Tract Infection cases including OPD in ten districts are going on, Rapid Response Teams (RRT) are in place in every district, samples are being collected and data analyzed, besides cluster cases are being investigated.
It was further informed that situation is under control and Health institutions are ready to combat any exigency.
The Divisional Commissioner instructed officers of Health Institutions to remain alert and keep their isolation wards ready to quarantine the infected persons, if any, across valley. The isolation wards will be established away from the congested areas.
He also asked Health Services and Principal GMC to launch a campaign with Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Radio, Doordarshan and Private Channels to educate the masses about precautions to be taken to remain safe from Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
SMC was also directed to organize IEC campaign to ensure all protective measures are taken by the people.
He asked concerned officers to send daily updates to the Div Com office.
Deputy Commissioner Budgam Tariq Hussain Ganai, Director Health Services Sameer Mattoo, Principal GMC Dr Samia Rashid, Joint Director DIPR Haaris Ahmad Handoo, Regional Director Health & Medical Education and other concerned officials accompanied the Divisional Commissioner.
