Covid norms going for a toss: Centre to Punjab, 2 other states
These are among the 50 worst-affected districts in the country, says Union health ministry in a letter to state govt
India reported 170,100 cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Sunday, the highest single-day infections so far, as the central government warned three states — Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab — of not ensuring strict compliance of Covid-appropriate behaviour.
The country reported 152,449 new infections on Saturday, the previous high in the second wave of the pandemic, according to the HT dashboard.
Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to these states based on feedback received from central teams sent last week.
“These teams were to assess the situation on the ground, share their feedback, and work closely with the state authorities in looking for solutions. The health secretary’s letter is based on the feedback received from these teams, and asks them to plug the loopholes,” said a senior official in the health ministry.
The central teams found a lack of adequate surveillance measures being taken by the state administrations, especially in areas declared containment zones, inadequate testing using RT-PCR tests, insufficient manpower on Covid-19 duty, among other things.
The teams sent to Maharashtra found containment operations sub-optimal, especially in the Satara, Sangli and Aurangabad districts, with less than satisfactory perimeter control, a lack of active surveillance for influenza-like illness cases, mostly due to limited human resources. The testing capacity in many districts such as Satara, Bhandara, Palghar, Amravati, Jalna and Latur is overwhelmed, resulting in delays in reporting of results. Also, some districts have a skewed RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing ratio that needs improvement.
In Punjab, it was pointed out that there is an acute need for adopting enhanced contact tracing measures, especially in Patiala and Ludhiana.
“Additional manpower must be deployed for contact tracing on a priority basis. Low rates of testing have been reported from Patiala. Also as reported by the team, there is no RT-PCR testing laboratory in Rupnagar. This has been addressed urgently. There is no dedicated Covid hospital in SAS Nagar and Rupnagar districts, and patients are being referred to neighbouring districts or Chandigarh.
JALANDHAR: The Union health ministry has expressed serious concern over a worsening Covid-19 situation in eight Punjab districts on the basis of reports of its teams stationed in the state and suggested measures to curb the virus spread.
In a letter to Punjab principal secretary (health) Hussan Lal, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhusan on Saturday said the state government should take necessary action to tackle the rising number of cases in Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Rupnagar, Mohali and SBS Nagar districts.
These are among the 50 worst-affected districts in the country, of which 30 are in Maharashtra and 11 in Chhattisgarh. The Union health secretary said the situation in four Punjab districts — Mohali, Ludhiana, Patiala and Rupnagar — was even more worrying. He also underlined that the central teams have also reported lack of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour by the community and suggested stricter ground-level enforcement by the district authorities.
The central teams have been tasked to work along with district health authorities on pandemic preparedness and response with focus on testing, contact tracing and containment operations.
There is a need to enhance focus on contact tracing in Patiala and Ludhiana while the contact tracing and surveillance in Mohali are being hampered due to shortage of manpower, the letter read. Low rate of testing was reported from Patiala, the home district of Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, it was said.
The Union health secretary said there is no RT-PCR testing laboratory in Rupnagar district and the issue be addressed urgently. “There is no dedicated Covid-19 hospital in Mohali and Rupnagar districts, and patients are being referred to neighboring districts or Chandigarh. Hospital bed occupancy rates in Mohali, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana are on the higher side and suitable arrangements be made with sufficient lead time to prepare for any surge in cases,” he added.
Ventilator issues, slow pace of vaccination, staff shortage reported
The teams also reported issues regarding procurement of ventilators for proper case management in SBS Nagar district, he pointed out.
“Though ventilators are available in Rupnagar district, these are not being optimally utilised due to shortage of healthcare workers, particularly doctors and nurses. Contractual hiring of health care workers would go a long way in addressing this,” he claimed.
The central teams also reported shortage of staff in Patiala and Mohali. In Patiala and Ludhiana, a slow pace of vaccination was reported among those aged above 45 and with co-morbidities.
On Saturday, the Punjab chief minister had urged the central government to share the schedule for supply of vaccines with the states over the next quarter based on confirmed orders as Punjab is left with only 5 days of supply.
“As many as 98% beds with oxygen support were occupied in Hoshiarpur, the highest among the 8 districts, followed by Mohali at 69%. Also, 89% of ICU beds are occupied in Ludhiana, followed by Mohali (80%) and SBS Nagar (70.6 %),” the letter further reads.
At 105, Moga woman takes 1st vaccine shot
Kartar Kaur, 105, of Moga’s Bhinder Khurd village, received her first shot of the coronavirus vaccine along with her 80-yearold son, Harvinder Singh, on Sunday and urged people not to hesitate and get themselves vaccinated. Her grandson and former councillor Manjit Singh Mann organised the camp in ward number 3. Around 200 people were vaccinated at the camp. “I believe the vaccination will keep the disease at bay. I advise people to follow coronavirus guidelines. There is no adverse effect on my health,” Kaur said, after taking the jab.
“The spirit of Kartar Kaur is inspiring. I appeal to all eligible people above 45 to get rid of their hesitancy and get themselves and their families vaccinated,” said Moga deputy commissioner Sandeep Hans.
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has also requested the Centre to provide additional vaccines.