Punjab orders resumption of normal OPD service, warns of second COVID-19 wave
COVID-19: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered the resumption of normal OPD service and elective surgeries but warned against any complacency given the projections of a possible second wave of coronavirus in Punjab.
Besides the orders of OPD service in Punjab, the Chief Minister has also allowed the opening of government schools from Monday, October 19, after due sanitation and disinfection procedures, and with clear SOPs mandating parents’ consent, as well as the ceiling on the number of students and hours of operation. Some of the private schools in the state have opened on Thursday only.
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While expressing concern over the warnings by health and medical experts of the grave possibility of the second wave of coronavirus in Punjab hitting the state in the festival season or during the winter months, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to take all steps to ensure that things remain under control in the festive times ahead.
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He also asked the Health and Medical Education departments to work with the market committees to ensure the widespread distribution of masks with steps to encourage people to wear them, and also follow social distancing norms.
The DGP Dinkar Gupta told the meeting said the Punjab Police was gearing up to manage the festival season, during which security would be beefed up and all efforts would be made to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 norms at marketplaces, Ramlilas, etc.
According to the DGP, the force had lost 22 personnel to Covid in September, taking the toll to 39. As of date, 434 cops were positive, with an average of 72 cases being reported among the Punjab Police every day during September. However, the figure was now down to about 10.
Health Secretary Hussan Lal pointed out that Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was still high at 131 against the national average of 81. He informed the meeting that to ensure adequate availability of oxygen supply in the coming weeks and months, tendering for 1st phase for augmenting the supply was in process.
-PTC News
