Jammu, Jan 5 : Amid sudden surge in Covid-19 cases, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta Today directed the Health and Medical Education Department to scale up testing to reach a target of two lakh tests per day with a proportional increase in RT-PCR tests.
Notably, Jammu and Kashmir today reported 418 positive cases.
The leave of Health staff has also been canceled in Jammu Division due to a surge in cases.
Chairing a meeting to review the public health response to COVID-19, the Chief Secretary reviewed the quality of health services being provided to COVID patients in the Union Territory and impressed upon the Health Department to explore the avenues of implementing the ‘Treating Physician’ concept in the public sector health facilities.
The Department was further asked to ramp up medical facilities and prepare for catering to any surge in reported cases of infections.
The Department was also asked to stock up on medical supplies and keep all equipment, machinery, and infrastructure in a state of readiness.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the need of promoting COVID-appropriate behaviour- masking, social distancing, and crowd management; COVID SoPs and protocols among the general masses and directed the enforcement agencies to ensure adherence to the laid down guidelines.
Moreover, the Chief Secretary asked the Departmental HoDs to establish direct communication channels with the medical teams /professionals and undertake an on-ground assessment of the situation and mitigation measures, besides raising awareness through interactive sessions and programmes on electronic and social media.
To closely monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in the Union territory, a Crisis Management Group under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary has been meeting regularly and taking appropriate prevention and mitigating measures for preventing infection surges in Jammu and Kashmir.
Moreover, the Director Health Services Jammu in an order canceled the leave of all Health staff including doctors, paramedics and other officials in view of sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Jammu division.
As per the order, directions have been issued to all Chief Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents not to grant leave, except for Medical and Emergency conditions, to health care workers with immediate effect.(UNI)