Port Blair, April 27: The Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health), A&N Administration, Dr. V. Candavelou has appealed to the people of the Islands to join the mass movement against COVID-19 and said, “this global pandemic can only be fought with the cooperation of all citizens”. Addressing a press conference held in the conference hall of IP&T here today, Dr. Candavelou said that we are in a critical stage in the second wave of corona. During the last wave with the active co-operation of general public we were able to overcome the pandemic situation. It has been observed that despite several proactive steps taken by the Administration, the COVID cases are increasing. To combat this challenging situation, the A&N Administration, District Administration, the Health Department and other stakeholders are working in unison to control the surge of the cases in these Islands.
Dr. Candavelou said, this airborne infection spreads from person to person and we have to strictly adhere to the COVID appropriate behaviors like wearing mask, washing hands and avoid gathering in public places and unnecessary travels. He said, we should be sensitive towards the situation and realize the fact that the surge in cases can only be controlled by strictly following COVID appropriate behaviors.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health) further stated that the Administration is continuing the vaccination drive to vaccinate all eligible persons aged 45 and above and almost 20 percent of the population have been covered. So far, more than 1,00,000 doses have been administered. He mentioned that more thrust will be given for vaccination of people above 18+ from May 1.
Outlining the steps taken by the Administration in combating COVID-19, he said the Administration is also imposing various restrictions in a graded manner as a precautionary measure such as curtailing the movement of passenger convoys on the Andaman Trunk Road, reducing the inter-island ship movement etc. These restrictions may pose some difficulties for the general public but we should understand the gravity of the situation and realize that the steps taken are for the safety of the Islanders.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary further mentioned that District Administration is doing a commendable job by reaching out to every household where people are kept under home quarantine besides conducting contact tracing, delivering medicines and monitoring them 24X7 through phone calls. Surveillance are being carried out by field functionaries where ILI cases are detected.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri Suneel Anchipaka said that the Administration is working relentlessly at the grassroot level since the last couple of weeks, especially after this second wave of COVID surge. He said, we expect public to extend their cooperation by following COVID appropriate behavior. He disclosed that the District Administration has been forced to seal 10-15 shops for flouting COVID appropriate behavior. This shows that people are not at all serious about this surge, said the Deputy Commissioner once again requesting the general public, to adhere to the COVID appropriate behaviour. He said that doctors and paramedical staff are working round the clock to contain this pandemic and without the support of the general public it will be difficult contain. The DC also requested the people to immediately intimate the Control Room number 1077, if they feel unwell and have symptoms similar to COVID-19. He opined that early diagnosis can save patients. The DC further stated that Administration is working round the clock to ensure zero casualty and without the support of general public we cannot achieve this target. We are distributing the pulse oxymeters, activated all the CHCS, UHCs, PHCs and sub Centres.
The Secretary (IP&T), Shri Sunil Kumar Singh was also present during the press conference.
The Director, Health Services, Dr. Omkar Singh said that an additional helpline no 03192- 239669 has been started in DHS office which will be a mixed one i.e. Administrative as well as clinical. If the case is clinical, then it will be diverted to doctors and if Administrative, it will be diverted to DC office. Apart from this, a Rapid Response Team has been constituted under the leadership of Dr. P. Lal. The team will immediately reach out to the needy, if the case is of emergency nature. He said, vaccination drive is going on effectively in Nicobar District wherein 85 percent of the population has been covered.
Dr. Avijit Roy, Nodal Officer, COVID-19 informed that today 8 flights carrying 371 passengers and 10 children arrived at Port Blair. Of this, 7 passengers have been tested positive.
The Director (ANIIMS), Dr. A.K. Mandal, the Director (IP&T), Shri Alok Kumar, Deputy Director (Malaria), GB Pant Hospital, Dr. Amitabha De also attended the press conference.