हिंदी
Chandigarh, August 28 – Taking signal from the sudden spike in COVID cases in states like Kerala, immediately after the festival of Onam, NITI Aayog, Member, Dr. Vinod K. Paul cautioned the people of the State of Haryana and suggested them to restrict the celebrations of the upcoming festive season to their homes as a sudden spike in such cases is speculated if COVID appropriate behaviour is not followed.
He elaborated that a sudden spike is being witnessed in states like Kerala, Maharashtra and globally in countries like USA as the people became complacent. Thus, adhering to COVID-appropriate behaviour is the key to contain the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the speculated 3rd wave.
This came to light during COVID Review Meeting being held under the Chairmanship of Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India Dr. Vinod K. Paul with Civil Surgeons of all the districts of the State.
He added that with the upcoming festivals like Janamashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dusshera and Diwali people should not indulge in revelries and should adhere to the COVID protocols to contain the spread of virus.
Meanwhile, he suggested the officials concerned to gauge the number of beds, ventilators, medicines, oxygen etc. that can be needed for the speculated wave, while taking cues from the number of cases during peak during the second wave. Thereafter, COVID appropriate health facilities be enhanced even in the remotest areas of the State in the next three weeks before the onset of the festive season, he said. He emphasized on formulaing a comprehensive plan and it’s effective implementation at the micro-level so as to curtail the anticipated third wave.
He was apprised that the State has administered 1.59 crore (1,59,25,647) doses of COVID vaccine till date of which 1.19 crore (1,19,65,009) are first dose and 39.60 lakh (39,60,638) doses are of second dose of the COVID vaccine. He then appreciated the pace at which Vaccination Drives are being conducted in the State.
During the meeting Sh. Anil Vij Health Minister who is presently admitted in PGIMER, Chandigarh also spoke to Dr. Vinod K. Paul thorough a video call and discussed the preparations for the anticipated third wave.
With regard to availability of oxygen it came to light during the meeting that the country is divided into three zones – Red Zone, Yellow Zone and Green Zone – for installation of PSA Plants and Haryana is listed in the Green Zone. Appreciating the efforts made for installation of PSA plants in the State, Dr. Paul said the State Government has worked assiduously due to which 38 PSA plants of the 40 such plants to be installed have been delivered and 26 such plants are presently functional.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Sh. Rajeev Arora apprised Dr. Paul about the preparations being made for the speculated third wave.
Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan also joined the meeting. Principal Secretary, Forests and Wildlife Department, Smt. G. Anupama, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Haryana, Sh. Prabhjot Singh, DGHS, Dr. Veena Singh and district Civil Surgeons were also present in the meeting.
