Chandigarh, November 21: To combat fresh surge of Coronavirus infections in the state, Punjab Chief Secretary Ms. Vini Mahajan on Saturday directed the Administrative Secretaries to visit the respective districts assigned to them for monitoring COVID response efforts and to review preparedness in case of a second wave of infections including contact tracing and patient tracking, protocols for referral, strengthening of Level-3 facilities and also ramping up COVID-19 testing across the state.
Ms. Vini Mahajan said that all the concerned officials have been directed to ensure that minimum 15 contacts of each positive patient must be identified and tested as per the COVID-19 guidelines.
Health and all other concerned departments should be ready to tackle the possible second wave of the pandemic, said the Chief Secretary, adding that it was also the responsibility of the people of the state to actively participate in the fight against the pandemic by strictly following COVID appropriate behaviour. Till such time that a vaccine against COVID is introduced, ‘Mask hi vaccine hai’ is the mantra of Mission Fateh.
Police would remain at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus, said DGP Mr. Dinkar Gupta, adding that police will work in unison with the civil administration to ensure implementation of COVID-19 safety norms. Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Mr. Hussan Lal and Principal Secretary Medical Education & Research Mr. D.K. Tiwari assured of full preparedness to contain the possible second wave of Coronavirus.
Later, the Chief Secretary held a VC with Deputy Commissioners, CPs, SSPs and MCs to take stock of the fresh surge in new COVID cases. She asked Deputy Commissioners, SSPs and health officials to ensure strict vigil on large social gatherings. Regular monitoring of all home isolated patients must also be ensured. District administrations should work closely with educational institutes to strictly implement the Covid protocols, especially washing hands and wearing masks, to prevent transmission of infection. She commended the good work and the efforts that had been put in and appreciated the coordinated response of the civil and police administration.
