Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19): DC directs to set up 24x7 district-level control room

Ludhiana: In view of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to tackle any untoward situation related to it, Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal today took stock of the arrangements made by the District Administration and issued necessary directions. The meeting was also attended by MC Commissioner Mrs Kanwal Preet Kaur Brar, ADC (Development) Mrs Amrit Singh, ADC (General) Mr Iqbal Singh Sandhu, ADC (Jagraon) Mrs Neeru Katyal Gupta, ADC (Khanna) Mr Jaspal Singh, all SDMs, Civil Surgeon Dr Rajesh Kumar Bagga, besides several others.
          During the meeting, Mr Agrawal directed the Civil Surgeon and ADC (General) to set up 24X7 district-level control room in the district. Besides, he directed all SDMs and Police to initiate strict action against people who are hoarding masks and medical kits. He also directed the SDMs to not give permissions of less important public functions or those in which the expected number of participants is high. He also warned strict action against people who are organising sales outside their shops etc. The health department and Rural Development department officials were asked to hold door-to-door awareness drive for residents so that there is no panic amongst them.
          Mr Agrawal said that if any person is found suffering from COVID 19, then such persons can be isolated in their respective homes as well. He said that there is no need to take any special medicine for treatment and can remain under isolation for 14 days at his home and take normal medication before getting fully cured. He directed the Police Department to not arrest any person who refuses to cooperate for checkup or treatment, and instead wherever that person is found, they should get in touch with the health department and ensure his proper checkup and isolation.
          The Deputy Commissioner informed that till date, three samples of suspected patients have been taken in district Ludhiana and all of them were negative.
          He also directed all the SDMs and Municipal Corporation officials to identify all buildings that are not in use in district Ludhiana so that they can be used as isolation wards if any situation arises. He also directed them to organise mock drills in different parts of the district and appealed to private hospitals to support the district administration in case of any emergency.
          He also appealed to the residents of district Ludhiana to ensure that they follow all guidelines and instructions being issued by the Punjab government and Health Department so that one is able to save himself from any untoward situation. Civil Surgeon Dr Rajesh Kumar Bagga clarified that no suspected case of COVID 19 has been reported in district Ludhiana till date.
          As per the advisory, it has been stated that one should not shake hands or hug anyone, do not spit in open, any person having fever should not go out in public, and keep at least 1 meter distance from any person having sough or fever. If any person is having cough or fever, he should always keep his mouth covered with a mask or handkerchief and should report immediately to their nearest government hospital. Similarly, if any person has travelled to China or Nepal in last 14 days, he should be quarantined for 14 days in his house and should not visit any crowded place. As per the advisory, any healthy person who does not have cough or fever, need not need a mask.
          The helpline number for state is 104, for district Ludhiana is 0161-2444193, or Dr Divjot Singh can be contacted at 9041274030 or Dr Ramesh Kumar can be contacted at 9855716180.
          He appealed to the residents that this disease is fully curable and there is no need to panic. He also said that people should not fall prey to rumours spread on social media about Novel Coronavirus. He clarified that the District Administration has already made adequate arrangements to tackle any situation if any case of this disease surfaces in the district.
ALL COACHING CENTRES CLOSED TILL MARCH 31:
          District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal, while exercising his powers as per the notification issued by the Punjab government, has banned all coaching centres (IELTS centres, tuition centres, dance centres etc) where a large number of students take coaching under a single roof to hold classes till March 31, 2020. /( March 16)