Thursday, Mar 05, 2020 11:15 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Mar 05, 2020 05:37 [IST]
SE Report
GANGTOK: Chief secretary S.C. Gupta chaired a meeting at Tashiling Secretariat here today to review and discuss preparedness and action plan for any possible coronavirus outbreak in the State following reports of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in some parts of the country, an IPR release informs.
The meeting was attended by top officials of various departments and district administration heads of the four districts.
The chief secretary, in his address, raised concern over the recent cases of coronavirus outbreak in India stating that this situation has changed the dimension of the problem for Sikkim as well and thus requires a proper and effective action plan to deal with its possible upsurge in the State.
Stressing on prioritising containment issues, the chief secretary directed the concerned representatives to issue advisory that discourage locals from travelling to affected countries and follow screening and quarantine process for the ones coming back to the State from abroad. He also suggested deploying additional police force at check-posts along with well-trained and equipped medical team for efficient screening.
Gupta urged all to spread awareness on the ‘dos & don'ts’ and guidelines for containing the spread of the virus followed by proper monitoring of health for appearance of any symptoms confined to coronavirus. He extended full support of the State government in taking every preventive measure against coronavirus outbreak in Sikkim. He requested all to avoid any rumours regarding the virus that may cause unnecessary panic among the masses and urged approaching the Health department and the concerned officers for clarifications if any.
During the meeting, the stakeholders and representatives discussed and presented various suggestions on necessary measures that can be initiated to control coronavirus outbreak in the State.
The representatives of the State Health department gave an extensive report of the public health response in Sikkim.
It was informed that the Health department has identified isolation wards at new STNM Hospital, Sochaygang with 20 beds and 5 ventilators at the 8th floor of the said hospital. Additionally, the ICU facility has also been set up at the Central ICU of the new STNM Hospital with the quarantine ward at old STNM Hospital complex (previous emergency ward). Isolation facilities have also been identified at all four district hospitals in Singtam, Geyzing, Mangan and Namchi.
Further, a 20-bedded isolation ward has also been set up at Central Referral Hospital, Manipal in 5th Mile, Tadong.
The department has assigned 24×7 manpower for surveillance at all four checkposts of Rangpo, Melli, Rammam and Chewabhyanjang (Indo-Nepal border).
People in the State with recent travel history to China or other affected country are being traced, tracked and kept under observation. State and district Rapid Response Teams and infectious disease managing committees have also been formed and set up in place while strengthening IEC/BCC activities at district level.
The meeting has decided to suspend all Inner Line Permits (ILPs) issued to visit Sikkim till further notice. The concerned department has been directed to network the information to all stakeholder organisations and offices.
