COVID-19: Lakhimpur DC Khageswar Pegu appeals to people to stay alert and vigilant

Second wave of COVID-19

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur, Khageswar Pegu has appealed to the people of the district to stay alert and vigilant to contain the spread of COVID-19 so that the second surge of the same does not turn to be critical in the district.

The DC made this appeal while briefing the COVID-19 scene of Lakhimpur district in a meeting held with media persons in the conference hall of his office on Tuesday. Sketching the COVID-19 management strategies and taking up need-based steps by the district administration and the District Health Department to contain the spread of the disease, the DC in the meeting informed that a total of 54 COVID-19 positive patients were detected in the district from April 1 till April 19.

"During this period, 12,586 tests were conducted on suspected people of the district. Among them, 11,262 tests are Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) while 1,324 are Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) Test. In these days, two COVID-19 deaths were reported and they are non-COVID death with COVID-19 positivity. At present, we have 106 isolation beds, including six ICU beds at Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital. All these beds are dedicated for COVID-19 positive patients," stated the DC.

"Presently, RAT and RTPCR tests are being conducted at Lilabari Airport, North Lakhimpur Railway Station at Nakari and Harmoti Railway Station. Now we are operating 37 government COVID-19 testing centres across the district," the DC added. Highlighting the COVID-19 vaccination scenario, the DC said, "A total of 39,210 people have got the shot of the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while 10,816 people have been administered the second shot. Health care workers, security personnel, employees engaged in Assam Legislative Assembly Election, 2021, people above the age of 45 and 60 years have been covered as the beneficiaries of the vaccination drive."

On the other hand, Lakhimpur district administration has issued strict guidelines to the Bihu committees with regard to organizing the Bihu functions. In this connection, the DC said, "All Circle Officers (COs) have been directed to hold meeting with the Bihu committees regarding COVID-19 appropriate behaviour as per protocol. In the meantime, such meetings were held with the Bihu committees. All members of the Bihu committees will have to undergo RAT and RTPCR Test. Bihu committees will have to ensure social distancing norms, wearing of face masks, sanitizing measures on the day of celebrating the Bihu functions as per norms. Moreover, night functions will have to be concluded by 11 pm. They will have to manage three layers of barricades to control the gatherings. Permission to organize Bihu function will be accorded only to those Bihu committees which submit the RTPCR Test reports of their members and volunteers. The district administration will provide printed IEC materials to all permitted Bihu committees regarding COVID-19 appropriate behavior."

Further, the district administration has made wearing of face masks, face covers in public places, including work places and at the time of travelling by vehicles, compulsory. Moreover, spitting in public places is strictly prohibited. Non-compliance of these directions will attract a fine of Rs. 1,000 for the first offence. This order has been issued in pursuance of the power conferred upon the DC under Section 51 (B) of Disaster Management Act, 2005. In the meantime, all Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates Executive Magistrates and Police personnel, not below the rank of Sub-Inspectors are authorized to impose and collect the fine through issuing Assam Schedule II form No. 5 (New) and deposit the collected amount into the government account under Major Head-0070, other Administrative Services, the DC informed.

He further asserted that the district administration would conduct RAT for all teaching and non-teaching staff of Uper and Lower Primary Schools within two to three days keeping the increasing trend of the COVID-19 positive cases in the district in view. The number of targeted beneficiaries of the Lower Primary Schools is 3,824 while the same of Upper Primary schools is 2,395. Moreover, all the personnel, including the security, engaged in counting of votes are to have gone through the RAT and RTPCR tests in advance. The district administration will provide COVID-19 protective materials to all persons engaged in the counting of votes.

In the district, the offline classes of Lakhimpur Kendriya Vidyalaya have been cancelled until May 7 considering the health of the students after one teacher of the school concerned tested positive for COVID-19 on April 17. However, the online classes will continue. Further, the DC informed that micro-containment zone would be declared when it would be recommended by the District Health Department as per guidelines

In the meeting, ADC (Health) Geetalee Duworah, Joint Director of Health Services Dr. Mahendra Das and District Immunization Officer Dr. Gunin Kumar Gogoi were present along with officers of the District Health Department.

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