Lucknow: In the wake of rising corona cases in some countries, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed the officials to make people aware of wearing face masks in crowded public places like hospitals, buses, railway stations, markets and to activate the public address system.
Chairing a meeting of the high-level Team-09 constituted for Covid-19 management, Yogi said, “Even as the increase in new Covid cases is being seen in different countries since last one week, the situation remains in control in UP. The positivity rate of the state in December has been 0.01 per cent. Presently the total number of active cases is 62. In the last 24 hours, 27,208 tests were done and not a single new patient was confirmed. During the same period, 33 people got cured.
He said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the strategy of trace, test, treatment and vaccine to prevent Covid has proved successful. “It is possible that there may be an increase in new cases in the coming days, so we have to be alert. This is not the time to panic, but to be alert and careful. Covid protocol has to be strictly followed. Make people aware to wear face masks in crowded public places like hospitals, buses, railway stations and markets. Activate the public address system,” he said.
The CM said that the changing trend of Covid should be closely monitored. “Medical Education and Health departments should prepare with better coordination. The policy will be decided in consultation with the state-level Health Advisory Committee. Maintain constant communication with the Union Health Ministry,” he said.
He said that the new variant of Covid should be continuously monitored. “Wherever new cases are found genome sequencing should be done. Daily testing should be increased. People suffering from serious, incurable diseases and the elderly will have to take special precautions,” he said.
Yogi said, “We all have experienced the utility of Integrated Covid Command and Control Room in Covid Management. Home, Health and Urban Development departments should prepare to reactivate ICCC with mutual coordination.”
He said that in accordance with the spirit of the Prime Minister’s mantra ‘Jahan Bimar, Wahin Upchar’, cooperation of village heads, Asha, Anganwadi workers and ANMs should be taken. “These people have played a valuable role in the fight against Covid so far. They need to contribute effectively again to track sick people with Covid symptoms in their areas and provide immediate hospital or doctor services as per the need,” he said.
The CM said that in the midst of Covid large-scale work was done for the infrastructure development of the hospitals. “Intensive Care Units, ventilators and specialist doctors were deployed in every district. Ensure the functioning of medical equipment, proper availability of doctors and paramedical staff in all hospitals. Be it rural or urban areas every hospital should have adequate resources,” he directed.
He said that the new posts of specialist doctors should be created by examining the updated requirements of medical institutions and the old posts must not be cut. “This should be done with top priority,” he said.
Yogi said that it is the priority of the state government to make good quality medicines available to the people at low cost. “It should be ensured that there is no shortage of life-saving medicines in the state. There is a need to improve the functioning of the Medical Supplies Corporation. The works of the department should be reviewed at the Health Minister level,” he said.
He said that to achieve the target of one district-one medical college proposals were invited for setting up of medical colleges on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode in 6 districts. “For this, 42 companies and institutions have shown interest. The process of building a medical college should be taken forward as soon as possible by selecting the qualified and capable,” he directed.
The CM said that the utility of vaccines in preventing Covid infection is evident. “UP is the most vaccinated state with about 39.06 crore vaccination doses given so far. As many as 4.48 crore precaution doses have also been given in the state. In view of the new variant of Covid, the pace of precaution dose should be expedited. People should be made aware of the need and utility of precaution doses,” he said.
