CS Jishnu Barua stresses adopting 'targeted approach' towards covid vaccination

A CORRESPONDENT

BISWANATH CHARIALI: Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, Jishnu Barua arrived at Biswanath Chariali on Saturday to chair a high-level review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner's conference hall where he took stock of the current COVID and flood scenario of the district and asked the Biswanath district administration to adopt a 'targeted approach' towards vaccination where all frontline workers and persons coming in contact with masses are accorded priority.

Highlighting on testing and vaccination as the only two ways of controlling the COVID pandemic, Barua said that the administration needed to have a 'vision plan' and 'roadmap' in prioritizing vaccination for those category of persons who were the most vulnerable. He stressed 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. "You will have to have a vision plan and roadmap for vaccination. First, categorize people on the basis of vulnerability and have a targeted approach in vaccinating those who are the most vulnerable. Those who come in contact with masses, like Anganwadi workers, should be accorded priority, otherwise they might end up as super-spreaders," said Barua.

Since Biswanath district lacks availability of Intensive Care Units (ICU), the Chief Secretary instructed the health department to refer all COVID patients with comorbidities from now onwards to Tezpur Medical College and Hospital (TMCH); so that if required, intensive care could be provided to them without any lapse of time. He also asked the administration and health department to ensure institutional quarantine for COVID patients above the age of 50. 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). Citing the recent opening of a dedicated 300-bedded COVID Hospital at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, the Chief Secretary said that the government was now concentrating in preparing itself with required infrastructure to face the third wave.

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

The meeting was also attended by Biswanath Deputy Commissioner Pranab Kumar Sarmah, Superintendent of Police Ripul Das, Subdivisional Officer (Civil) Gohpur, Aditya Vikram Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs) and officers from administration, health, water resources and disaster management.

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