Dharamshala: A surge in Covid-19 having infected chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, speaker Vipin Parmar, ministers Ram Lal Markanday, Suresh Bhardwaj and several others has forced the hill state to launch a more intense awareness drive with Kangra, the largest district, in taking the lead.
Launching the awareness campaign on Wednesday Rakesh Prajapati, the district magistrate of Kangra said it would be conducted through the district till 31st October to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The public is being made aware about the correct use of the masks, hand hygiene and ensuring compliance of two yards distancing. When symptoms appear, the patients are being motivated to get them to have their test done at the nearest flu centre, he said.
Standard operating procedures (SoP) about home quarantine and isolation are also being imparted with special emphasis about what precautions need to be taken while caring for elder citizens and those suffering from other diseases, he added.
Prajapati said, “home isolation kits have also been prepared for those people who are put on home isolation, if tested positive, which include oximeter, essential medicines and necessary guidelines. A Covid-19 control room has already been set up at the district headquarters which can be accessed on the toll-free number 1077.”
The magistrate informed that testing facility had also been expanded and now the district had 20 sample collection centres with a testing facility of around 1200 tests a day.
“A plan has also been prepared to conduct Covid tests of all employees and officers of all government offices, along with tests of employees posted in hotels of the district . Another plan is being prepared to conduct Covid tests of teachers and students in schools to prevent the spread of covid infection at any stage.”
He urged people to get themselves tested for Covid on their own at the nearest flu center, in case of any minor symptoms of cold, cough, fever etc.
The medical officer incharge for the district health, Dr. Gurdarshan was present when Prajapati disclosed the plan and traget of the awareness campaign for Kangra.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
