Hailakandi administration reviews preparedness on Coronavirus

March 16: The Hailakandi district administration reviewed the preparedness for Coronavirus to contain the spread of the disease. Chairing the meeting at her office chamber on Monday, Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli asked the health and other departments to work in tandem to prevent the spread of the disease.

Jalli asked the PWD officials (Roads and Buildings) to keep a tab on workers who might come from Chennai and Bengalaru in view of Coronavirus outbreak. She asked the PWD officials to report the arrival of such construction workers from outside the state to the nearest health centre for a medical check up to make sure that they are not carriers of Coronavirus disease. “Medical check up of workers coming from outside the state is mandatory and any slackness or lackadaisical attitude in this regard will not be tolerated,” warned Jalli.

The Deputy Commissioner asked the health department authorities to train up the police personnel so that they can adopt precautionary measures to deal with such cases ‘as they are the ones to come in close contact with people who might be infected with Coronavirus’. Jalli asked the Zilla Parishad to organise sensitization camps at each Gaon Panchayat sans large gatherings. She asked that during such sensitization camps one representative from the health and veterinary departments must be present. She asked the Zilla Parishad to instruct the PRI representatives to report the arrival of any person from outside following the closure of restaurants, malls and multiplexes in Chennai, Bengaluru and other places with travel history to the nearest health centre or police station keeping public health in view.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the transport and health authorities to keep a close watch on the passengers travelling in night buses and to screen such passengers, if required, and to disinfect the bus stands as a precautionary measure. Avoiding mass gatherings is the best way to minimise the impact of Coronavirus infection, Jalli urged the citizens and religious heads to cooperate with the administration to reduce gatherings and avoid religious congregations, including Friday namaj to keep the disease at bay.

It may be mentioned that the administration has banned all public meetings and events following advisories from Central and State Governments. Schools, colleges and gyms have been closed down across the district. The Deputy Commissioner asked the DDMA officials to gear up in the event of the disease assuming pandemic proportions. She directed the Food and Civil Supplies officials to direct the PDS shops to hold awareness camp through IEC activities.

Jalli asked the BSNL and other service providers to keep uninterrupted mobile and internet services so that people get latest updates on the Coronavirus situation and the precautionary measures to be taken to fight the disease. Joint Director, Health Services, Dr RC Dwivedy apprised the Deputy Commissioner that training of police personnel would begin soon and that all health workers have undergone training to deal with any exigency. “Training would be imparted to the district jail personnel on Monday,” he added.

Dr. Dwivedy stated that separate isolation wards have been opened at the civil hospital and other health institutions together with constitution of rapid response team for surveillance and management. Additional Deputy Commissioner, RK Dam asked the municipal authorities to keep the markets clean and hygienic and to ensure meat is not sold in the market for the whole day long to avoid contamination.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Kulendra Kumar Nath said display boards have been put up in each police station and outpost to create awareness on COVID-19 novel Coronavirus. Earlier, Joint Director, Health Services, Dr. Dwivedy gave a power point presentation on Coronavirus and the precautionary measures to be adopted to keep the disease at bay, ‘as there is no vaccine available till date’. Officials from the administration, Assistant Commissioners, Circle Officers and officials from health and concerned departments were present on the occasion.

The administration held a meeting with market association, drug dealers association and hotel owners to sensitize them on Coronavirus. Deputy Commissioner, Jalli asked the drug dealers to keep sufficient stock of medicines to treat cough, cold, fever and headache, besides hand sanitisers. She asked the hotel owners to report any visitor coming from outside the state to the nearest health centre or police station. Jalli urged the owners of hotels and restaurants to keep their premises sanitized and to provide hand sanitizer to their customers to prevent transmission of the disease, besides keeping function or events on hold to avoid large gatherings.

She urged the merchant association to keep the commercial establishments clean and hygienic and to create awareness on Coronavirus to contain the spread of the disease. In another sensitization meeting with the representatives of political parties, leading citizens and religious leaders, Deputy Commissioner Jalli sought their support and cooperation to help contain the disease by creating awareness at their levels. “Since people listen to you, kindly help spread awareness to contain the disease,” said Jalli, adding prevention is better than cure.

District Media Expert, Monica Das gave a power point presentation on the symptoms of Coronavirus and the do’s and don’ts to avoid transmission of the disease. 24×7 control rooms have been set up with phone 7099252972/ 03844-223377 with toll free no.1077 for anyone to report on Coronavirus related issues. Meanwhile, the district administration has asked the Railways to start screening of patients at the railway stations falling under Hailakandi district.