Srinagar- Director Health Services Kashmir Mushtaq Ahmad Rather on Tuesday said there is an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases as the public had become complacent in following prevention protocols.
“There has been an increased prevalence of cases,” Rather said, during a meeting with Medical Superintendents of all hospitals across Kashmir to review Covid-19 arrangements.
Amid fresh threats of newer variants of the virus emerging, Mushtaq called for increased testing. “We should have more focus on testing so that once cases are traced then we can isolate and treat them properly,” he said.
Mushtaq said the people “have been a bit complacent and they should continue to follow the precautionary measures and follow the guidelines in letter and spirit.”
A spokesperson of health services said the meeting reviewed Covid-19 related arrangements and discussed measures being put in place in view of the Omicron variant, which has been classified as a Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He said the department is ready and all the measures related to oxygen supplies and availability of medicines besides other arrangements have already been put in place to face any eventuality.
Mushtaq, officials said, directed all the Medical Superintendents to remain in an alert situation and keep the hospitals in the ready mode in case of any kind of eventuality.
He also directed them to keep the Covid-19 related supplies available in hospitals and also create separate isolated beds which shall be kept ready for any kind of eventuality. Controller Stores DHSK, who was present in the meeting, was directed to keep the Covid related supplies available in abundance in all the hospitals.
All the Medical Superintendents were given the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, which were revised afresh in view of the Covid variant Omicron.
Further, Mushtaq stressed in IEC activities and awareness should be increased among the general public and said that adherence to SOPs, Covid Appropriate Behavior, social distancing and wearing of masks are the first line of defense of any kind of variant.
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