“Intensified testing, vaccination will help to contain COVID-19,” says Minister Suklabaidya in Hojai

June 4: Minister for Environment and Forest, Fisheries and Excise, Parimal Suklabaidya assessed the COVID-19 scenario in Hojai on Friday. Minister Suklabaidya directed the administration to step up testing and vaccination to prevent further spread of the disease. Taking stock of oxygen position, bed availability, and other COVID logistics at a meeting with Deputy Commissioner, SP, MLAs, representative of MP, representatives of political parties, ADCs and officials of Health department at DC’s office conference hall at Sankardev Nagar, Suklabaidya, who is guardian minister of Hojai district, asked the administration to leave no stone unturned to provide the best of medical care and treatment to COVID infected persons.

He said the state government has accorded top priority to the health sector and that during the pandemic times there has been a remarkable ramp up of health infrastructure and facilities. He said that there will availability of vaccine within a fortnight. Suklabaidya appealed to the people’s representatives to create awareness on COVID protocols to help contain the disease. He also asked them to prevail upon the COVID positive patients in home isolation to avail the medical facilities provided by the administration ‘as there are enough beds with oxygen support available’ and not to wait till the eleventh hour that proves fatal.

The Minister took the status of progress of the upcoming 20 bedded ventilator support ICU and the oxygen generation plant. Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Sadnik Singh apprised the Minister that funds have been sanctioned for the ICU and that the oxygen generation plant sponsored by Telco Cement will come up by the end of July. Suklabaidya asked the Deputy Commissioner to expedite the tender process and to start the civil work for the ICU.

Suklabaidya asked the health functionaries to monitor the status of health of COVID positive patients in home isolation and to rush them to home or hospital depending upon their condition the moment one is detected positive during RAT/RT-PCR testing. “The moment someone is detected COVID positive during testing, he or she must be taken either to home or hospital directly through 108 ambulance service to reduce the risk of infecting others,” he quipped.

On the incident of assault of a doctor that took place at Hojai recently, Suklabaidya said the incident is highly condemnable and told SP, Barun Purkayastha to ‘ensure no recurrence of such incidents and to book all those involved in the incident.’

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Singh through power point presentation gave an overview of the COVID-19 scenario in the district. He disclosed that the positivity rate in the district has come down to 3.32%, below the state average in the past seven days. Singh said that over 1.21 lakh persons have been vaccinated and there is no shortage of vaccine.

There are altogether one active containment zone and 317 micro containment zones across the district.
Singh said model vaccination centre, COVID control room 24×7 and telemedicine service have been operationalised and that inspection of COVID Care Centres are being conducted even during odd hours. He pointed out that the innovative COVID Suraksha App has turned out to be highly beneficial for surveillance of COVID positive patients in home isolation.

He said the district has presently 14 fleet of ambulance and there is shortage of ambulance. Minister Suklabaidya assured that he would take up the matter with Mission Director, NHM, and also asked the Deputy Commissioner to repair the one or two ambulances not in use to increase their strength.