- Genome Sequencing Facilities Being Created In Both Cities
- People Encouraged To Go For Voluntary Testing If Symptomatic
Jammu- Amid a scare caused by the resurgence of deadly Coronavirus infection, the health experts of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday said that the new variants are not lethal but the spread might be faster, while suggesting people to take precautions to keep themselves safe as well as others.
In a meeting with Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Friday, the health experts, including Director SKIMS; Principals of Medical Colleges and Heads of Medicine and other experts from the Medical Colleges assured that there was no need to panic in view of rising Covid-19 cases in neighboring countries as no surge have been reported so far in the UT, an official spokesperson said.
Mehta, he said, enjoined upon all these health experts to take pre-emptive measures so that the administration is fully prepared to meet any contingency.
He said that the Chief Secretary also asked them to activate all the Covid testing facilities so that any person desiring to test finds the facility nearby.
“He impressed upon them to create ample awareness among public so that no unnecessary scare is created among them,” the spokesperson said.
The Chief Secretary, he said, also emphasized on assessing all the facilities afresh so that their operational readiness is checked. Mehta, he said, asked them to take stock of medicines and other paraphernalia in advance so that people are served better, if need arises.
“He asked the department to give booster doses to the vulnerable groups like elderly. He also directed them for encouraging people to observe the Covid appropriate behavior for safety of one and all,” the spokesperson said.
He said that the Secretary Health informed the meeting that currently there is no bed occupancy related to Covid in the health facilities of the UT. He made out that the testing capacity of J&K has been augmented by many folds.
“The new three COBAS 6800 machines are also being procured for enhancing the facilities further,” Secretary Health added.
In the meeting, the spokesperson said, it was also revealed that every sample of a positive person is sent for its genome analysis as per the GoI guidelines. He said it was further apprised that the genome sequencing labs at both the cities of Jammu and Srinagar are being established shortly for better monitoring and evaluation here.
“The international travelers are also being monitored and tested randomly besides observing the advisories issued by the Health Ministry, AIIMS and Indian Medical Association, as was divulged in the meeting,” the spokesperson said.
Moreover, he said, the health experts also gave their suggestions regarding the current scenario and preparedness of J&K UT.
“They informed that the virus is not so lethal this time although the spread may be faster. They advised people to only take precautions so that they keep themselves safe as well as others,” the spokesperson said.
He said it was revealed that J&K has around 20000 isolation beds available including 717 ICU, 1320 Ventilators and 5468 oxygen supported beds. It has a capacity to generate 1,14,366 LPM of oxygen from its 154 plants.
“The UT also has 4 CBNAAT, 15 TRUENAT labs in its hospitals to generate tests more accurately and quickly,” he added.
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