4 March 2020, 5:04 pm
State Govt intensify tackling coronavirus outbreak in country
This article has been preserved from The Voice Of Sikkim historical news collection and reflects information available at the time of its original publication.
State Govt intensify tackling coronavirus outbreak in country (Representational Pic)
Gangtok, 04 Mar (IPR): Chief Secretary Shri S.C. Gupta chaired a meeting at Tashiling Secretariat today to review and discuss preparedness and action plan for any possible coronavirus outbreak in the State following reports of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in some parts of the country.
The meeting also had the presence of Director General of Police, Shri A.S. Rao, Principal Secretary, Health, Shri K. Srinivasalu, Principal Secretary, RDD, Shri C.S. Rao, DG cum Secretary, Health, Dr. Pempa T. Bhutia, Principal Director, Animal Husbandry, Dr. N.B. Chettri, IPR Secretary, Ms. Namrata Thapa, Transport Secretary, Shri Raju Basnet, MC, GMC, Shri H.K. Chettri, Director, SSDMA, Shri G.C. Khanal, District Collectors of East & West, SPs of West & North and other officials from line departments.
The meeting was also joined by DC South, DC North, and ADC West via video conferencing.
The Chief Secretary, in his address, raised concern over the recent cases of coronavirus outbreak in India stating that this situation has changed the dimension of the problem for Sikkim as well and thus requires a proper and effective action plan to deal with its possible upsurge in the State.
Stressing on prioritising containment issues, the CS directed the concerned representatives to issue advisory that discourages locals from travelling to affected countries and follow screening and quarantine process for the ones coming back to the State from abroad. He also suggested deploying additional police force at check-posts along with well-trained and equipped medical team for efficient screening.
The CS urged all to spread awareness on the dos & don'ts and guidelines for containing the spread of the virus followed by proper monitoring of health for appearance of any symptoms confined to coronavirus.
The CS extended full support of the State government in taking every preventive measure against coronavirus outbreak in Sikkim. He also requested all to avoid any rumours regarding the virus that may cause unnecessary panic among the masses and urged approaching the Health Department and the concerned officers for clarifications if any.
During the meeting, stakeholders and representatives discussed and presented various suggestions on necessary measures that can be initiated to control coronavirus outbreak in the State.
The representatives of the State Health Department gave an extensive report of the public health response in Sikkim.
It was informed that the Health Department has identified isolation wards at new STNM Hospital, Sochakgang with 20 beds and 05 ventilators at the 8th floor of the said hospital. Additionally, ICU facility has also been set up at the Central ICU of the new STNM Hospital with the quarantine ward at old STNM Hospital complex (previous emergency ward). Isolation facilities have also been identified at all four district hospitals in Singtam, Gyalshing, Mangan and Namchi.
Further, a 20-bedded isolation ward has also been set up at Central Referral Hospital, Manipal in 5th Mile.
The department has also assigned 24?7 manpower for surveillance at all four checkposts of Rangpo, Melli, Rammam and Chewabhyanjang (Indo-Nepal border).
People in the State with recent travel history to China or other affected country are being traced, tracked and kept under observation. State and district Rapid Response Teams and infectious disease managing committees have also been formed and set up in place while strengthening IEC/BCC activities at district level.
The meeting has decided to suspend all Inner Line Permits (ILPs) issued to visit Sikkim till further notice. The concerned department has been directed to network the information to all stakeholder organisations and offices.
The Tourism Department has been directed to monitor maintenance of registers by owners of hotels, homestays and lodge for travelers of both Indian and Foreign Nationals with their contact details for surveillance purpose. Likewise, the Education Department has been asked to conduct awareness sessions on coronavirus in every school in the State