Port Blair, April 20: The increase in the number of corona positive cases in A&N Islands is a matter of great concern and poses a great challenge for the Administration despite the best efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Further, the Administration is putting its best efforts from all quarters to arrest the spread of corona virus and to minimize the positive cases in A&N Islands, said the Secretary, IP&T, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh addressing a COVID-19 media briefing in the conference hall of IP&T today. He once again reiterated the need to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocol and urged the people to follow COVID appropriate behavior. 

The Director IP&T, Shri Alok Kumar informed that today (April 20), 11 flights arrived with 571 passengers and 10 infants. The Director further informed that a total of 17 positive cases were detected today during RAT conducted on the incoming flight passengers at Port Blair. Informing about the vaccination drive being carried out in different parts of the Islands, the Director said, 2009 eligible persons were vaccinated upto 6 pm on April, 20.

The Director, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Shri Deepak Kumar Pundir said there is sufficient stock of PDS items all over the Islands as the Department always maintains 3 months buffer stock of PDS items. There is no shortage of essential commodities in the market and urged the general public not to panic. The Director said that black marketing and hoarding of essential commodities will not be tolerated and action will be taken against those who indulge in these activities. He said, there is sufficient stock of LPG, Petrol and diesel all over the Islands and action will be taken on those spreading rumours about the shortage of these items.

The Deputy Director, GB Pant Hospital, Shri Amitabha De and the Deputy Director, IP, Shri RS Meena also attended the press conference.