Health min reviews departmental preparations in view of the new variant ‘Omicron’ of Coronavirus

Raipur: Health minister
TS Singh Deo reviewed the preparedness in the state for its rapid detection and
prevention in view of the new variant Omicron of the corona virus. He directed
for strict monitoring of those who reached Chhattisgarh after traveling to
other countries and made elaborate arrangements for screening and necessary
investigations.

He asked to increase
the number of sample tests daily besides directing to expedite the corona
vaccination. He asked to keep a tight-knit arrangement in all the hospitals
while maintaining proper equipment and machines.

Heath department
principal secretary Dr Alok Shukla said that detailed guidelines have been
given to all the collectors for quick identification and prevention of new
variants. As per the guidelines of the central government, setting up of help desks
at all the three airports of the state including Raipur, Bilaspur, and Jagdalpur,
taking information related to the screening of those coming from abroad, Covid-19
test report, vaccination, quarantine after coming to India and corona symptoms
are being done. Accordingly, necessary action has been asked to be taken. Instructions
have been given to take information about the people coming from foreign
countries on a daily basis in coordination with the State Surveillance Unit of
the Health Department.

Shukla said that such
persons who have not completed their seven-day quarantine period after coming
to India, collectors have also been directed to ensure that the seven-day home quarantine is followed. On the eighth day of these people get the
RTPCR test done and sending samples for Whole Genome Sequencing if positive.

For the identification
and monitoring of new variants, at least five per cent of the samples that come
positive in the RTPCR test daily to every district are sent to WGS. He informed
that all the districts have been directed to speed up the corona vaccination
and achieve 100% target as soon as possible and ensure strict adherence to the
COVID Appropriate Behavior.