CORRESPONDENTS
GAURISAGAR/DEMOW: Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Cultural Affairs, Power and Tourism department and in-charge minister of Sivasagar district, Bimal Bora on Thursday reviewed the preparedness, precautionary measures of COVID-19 as well as treatment facilities for COVID patients of the district in a meeting held at Sukafa Conference Hall of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Sivasagar.
After taking detailed stock of the COVID-19 management in the district, the minister stressed carrying out intensive awareness drive on the precautionary measures against COVID-19. He directed the District Transport Officer to coordinate with the police to carrying out intensive checking of vehicular movement. He insisted on strict adherence of odd-even policy put in place for vehicular movement. He also stressed increasing COVID-19 vaccination in the district. On request of the Joint Director of Health Services, Sivasagar, the minster assured of taking necessary measures for providing sufficient RAT testing kits to the department.
While taking stock of the status of ambulance in the district, the minister directed the Deputy Commissioner to approach ONGC for ambulance so that these may cater ONGC as well as the whole of the district during the crisis of the pandemic. The minister emphasized increasing the number of beds for treatment of COVID patients. He also directed the Health Department to review the status of COVID-19 management in the tea-garden areas of the district. He also suggested to set up sufficient number of vaccination camps in the tea-garden areas. The minister stressed on regular sanitization in the district. In this context, he also suggested the PHE department to coordinate with the Fire and Emergency Services so that the fire tender vehicles can be used for massive sanitization drive. After being informed about the paucity of oxygen trolley, the minister directed the PWD (Roads and Building) to make necessary arrangement for a good number of trolleys for the Health Department.
After reviewing the COVID-19 management in the district, the minister also directed the district administration to make necessary preparation to combat the ensuing probable flood situation in the district. He also directed all departments concerned to take all precautionary measures related to flood.
The minister also reviewed the status of various ongoing schemes in the district. He also emphasized on price regulation of essential items in the district so that the common people should not suffer due to price hike.
During the meeting, the minister expressed his keenness for the all-round development of the Assam Tai Museum. He stressed that the legacy of the glorious Ahom dynasty should be carried forth for posterity.
The minister called upon all departments to extend all possible support and cooperation so that the State Government succeeded in fulfilling the expectations of the public and to make the State scale new heights of development.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Bishnu Kamal Borah gave a detailed outline on the current COVID-19 situation and measures taken by the district administration and the Health Department to prevent the spread of the pandemic as well as the treatment facilities put in place.
The Deputy Commissioner apprised the minister that since March 1, 2021 as many as 53,441 of COVID-19 tests have been done, out of which 3,999 are RTPCR and 49,442 are RAT. He also informed that so far 20 persons died of COVID-19 in the district. He also stated that as on May 12, 2021, a total of 1,630 positive cases were detected in the district and total active positive cases are 719. He also stated that 113 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized and 606 patients are under home isolation. He also informed that out of 270 beds, 97 were presently occupied. He also informed that out of total 302 containment zones, 127 had been revoked and 175 were presently active. He added that support kits were provided to 196 households residing under containment zone.
The Deputy Commissioner also added that the recovery rate was 98 per cent. While briefing about the vaccination status, he informed that so far 85,865 doses of vaccinations were done. He also informed the minister that mobile COVID-19 testing facility had been made available at ASTC bus station and at the railway stations of the district. The review meeting was also attended by MLA of Sonari LAC, Dharmeswar Konwar, Superintendent of Police, Sivasagar Amitava Sinha, District Development Commissioner Pronab Jit Kakoty, Chief Executive Officer of Zila Parishad Bipul Saikia and officers of various government departments of the district.
Prior to attending the review meeting, the minister paid a visit to Sivasagar Civil Hospital at Joysagar and took detailed stock of the treatment and other preparedness put in place under the present pandemic situation.