Assam Governor Professor Jagdish Mukhi takes stock of coronavirus situation

GUWAHATI: Assam Governor Professor Jagdish Mukhi took stock of the coronavirus situation in the State at a meeting held with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, officials of Health and Family Welfare, Food and Civil Supplies, Disaster Management, Transport departments and Indian Red Cross Society, Bharat Scouts and Guides, at the Raj Bhavan on Monday. The Governor emphasized that the men and machinery of the government should be fully deployed to mitigate the emergent situation arising out of COVID-19.

Prof. Mukhi said that considering the status of the pandemic in other advanced countries and the number of infected persons that is rising very alarmingly with every passing day in those countries, the situation in India presumably is very controlled. However, complete lockdown for 21 days to keep the people of the country indoors, away from social gathering is essential to contain and control the outbreak of the virus.

The Governor also said that he has come across reports where the doctors and the para medical staff living on rented apartments are being asked by the landlords to vacate the houses. Under such circumstances, the Governor asked the DGP to take stern actions against the landlords and ensure the safety of the healthworkers and take necessary steps so that the infection cannot spread. Assam Governor said that migratory population is a major problem and he will also take up the matter with the Chief Ministers of the respective states and the Home Department to deal with it. The Governor also said that he had a talk with all the Vice chancellors of the Universities and accordingly online classes are to be imparted to the students.

The Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam Kumar Sanjay Krishna said that the Government is taking utmost care to circulate the advisories given by the Health and Family Welfare Department. The government is also motivating people to stay indoors and coordinating with the Indian railways for carriage and supply essential goods.

Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam, Home and Political Jishnu Barua apprised on the constitution of various State Level Task Forces and meetings conducted at various levels to tackle the outbreak of the pandemic in the state. He also said that steps were taken for sanitization of municipal areas with disinfectant through fire and emergency services and with the help of Municipal Corporation of the state.

Principal Secretary Samir Sinha while apprising the Governor on the preparedness of the health department to deal with situation arising from novel coronavirus outbreak in other parts of the country said that though no suspected cases have been detected, the health department is ready to face any contingency. High level ‘State Task Force’ meetings by Chief Secretary on daily basis are being conducted to keep a strict vigil on everyday situation. Also daily meetings with Consultants, WHO and UNICEF personnel to review the progress and frame strategy are being conducted to deal with the situation. Work force has also been expanded by deployment of MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing students. He also said that 42,000 ASHA workers are working in grass root level and are generating mass awareness and disseminating widespread IEC activities.

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