Passengers Requiring RTPCR Test for Emergency Cases for Travel to Kolkata May Contact Rescue Cell/ DC Office: Secretary IP&T

Port Blair, May 11: The A & N Administration is putting its best effort to protect the Islanders and curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus in A&N Islands. Addressing a press conference today in the conference hall of IP&T, the Secretary, IP&T, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh once again urged the people to follow all COVID appropriate behavior and help Administration in its fight against corona virus.

He informed that 3 flights with 86 passengers arrived today and during the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on these passengers, none of them where found positive. He further informed that out of the 71 persons bound for Middle & North Andaman tested at Ferrargunj, 7 persons were found positive. This data shows that the number of positive cases among the passengers coming from mainland has decreased while more cases are detected among Inter-Island bound passengers.

About vaccination drive, the Secretary informed that it is continuing and till 4 pm today (May, 11) about 338 eligible beneficiaries above 45+ age were vaccinated. He once again requested the eligible persons falling in above 45 age group to come forward to get vaccinated at the earliest and help the Administration to restrict the spread of corona virus.

About the stranded passengers in Port Blair who wish to go to other Islands, the Secretary said they should contact the ‘Rescue Cell’ which has been created for this purpose.  He also informed that the second batch of 56 Oxygen Concentrators received by Govt. of India from Switzerland has also reached here today. The first batch of 44 Oxygen Concentrators for A&N Islands reached yesterday. With this, these Islands received a total of 100 Oxygen Concentrators for its use in different Islands.

Regarding the RTPCR test report for the people travelling to mainland for medical emergency, the Secretary said at present RTPCR test is not mandatory in Chennai. For Kolkata bound passengers where it is mandatory, he said, if anybody has to go on emergency for medical purposes, they can contact the ‘Rescue Cell’ or the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. It will be addressed on ‘case to case basis’ depending upon the criticality of the case, he added. 

The Director ANIIMS, Dr. AK Mandal on the occasion informed that the number of corona positive patients admitted in the G. B Pant Hospital is 27 on May 11. He said 14 patients were discharged and at present 83 are admitted in the Hospital of which 51 are on Oxygen support and 3 patients are on ventilator.  

The Deputy Director, G.B. Pant Hospital, Shri Amitabha De disclosed that altogether, 2 COVID patients were admitted in Covid Care Centres. Eight  patients were discharged and at present 35 patients are still in Covid Care Centres in South Andaman District, the Deputy Director added.

 The Director, IP&T, Shri Alok Kumar also attended the press conference.