Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua reviews COVID and flood situation in Barpeta

BARPETA: Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, Jishnu Barua asked the Barpeta district administration to adopt a 'targeted approach' towards vaccination where all frontline workers and persons coming in contact with masses are accorded priority. Barua was in Barpeta on Sunday to chair a review meeting at Deputy Commissioner's Conference Hall, where he took stock of the current COVID and flood scenario of the district.

Highlighting testing and vaccination as the only two ways of controlling the COVID pandemic, Barua said the administration needed to have a vision plan and roadmap in prioritizing vaccination for those categories of persons who were the most vulnerable. He stressed the immediate need to vaccinate all Anganwadi workers and helpers in the district and persons working in Child Care Centres. He also asked the health department to ramp up vaccination in tea garden areas.

"The renunciation of Anganbadi worker-helper and Asha worker-Supervisors who have not taken vaccine without any genuine reason may be stoped for time being," he said.

"You will have to have a vision plan and roadmap for vaccination. Firstly, categorize people based on vulnerability and have a targeted approach in vaccinating those who were the most vulnerable. Those who come in contact with masses, like Health Workers, Police, Anganwadi workers, should be accorded priority; otherwise, they might end up as super-spreaders," said Barua.

With regards to testing, Barua instructed the health department to scale up RTPCR testing in the district. He also stressed the need for strict and compulsory testing of passengers arriving by trains in the district. He also further reviewed the availability of beds and oxygen cylinders in hospitals and COVID Care Centres (CCCs), stated a release.

Reviewing the flood situation in the district, Barua asked the administration to ensure social distancing was adhered to in relief camps. He said if need be; more relief camps should be readied this time around in the district in view of the COVID pandemic. He also instructed the administration to guarantee that flood-affected people get required and adequate relief material.

The meeting was also attended by Partha Mazamder, Secretary, Social welfare department, Tej Prasad Bhusal, DC, Barpeta, Diganta Das, DDC, Manoj Sikaria, CEO, Zila Parishad, Amithabh Singa, SP, all Additional Deputy Commissioners, among others.

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