With the State running out of Covishield vaccines on Monday and a Covaxin stock of just 1,12,821 doses, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has reiterated the demand for supply of more vaccines by the Centre to vaccinate the entire 18-45 population to complete the vaccination of all eligible persons in the next two months.
Even as he ordered opening of the vaccination to the entire population in 18-45 age group “subject to availability”, the Chief Minister said that the efforts would remain focused on covering the categories prioritized earlier.
“The Government has set a target to immunize all eligible in two months, followed by the second vaccine dose as per schedule,” he added. Currently, 4.8 percent of Punjab’s eligible population is fully vaccinated, with Mohali leading the chart in both one and two doses.
Taking stock of the vaccination progress and status in Punjab at a COVID review virtual meeting, the Chief Minister noted that the State Government had already vaccinated more than 62 lakh eligible persons and had been utilizing the stock without any wastage.
However, he noted, that there is a gross shortage of vaccines, with no stock of Covishield in the state as of today, and only a small stock of Covaxin available.
Pointing out that the State had been repeatedly taking up the issue of inadequate doses with the Government of India, Capt Amarinder said that this has assumed critical importance as Punjab has slowly been opening up sectors conditional to stakeholders having taken at least one dose.
The Chief Minister said that he will take up the matter again with the Union Health Minister on urgent basis, and escalate it to the Prime Minister if needed.
The state Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Sidhu questioned the larger number of doses received from the Centre by BJP-ruled states like Haryana and Gujarat.
The Chief Minister also directed the concerned departments to drive a campaign to encourage vaccination, testing, and help in case of micro-containment zones. These should be activated in all urban and rural areas, he stressed.
GENOME SEQUENCING’s 489 SAMPLES, INCLUDING 276 OF APRIL, PENDING WITH CENTRE; CAPT ORDERS FAST TRACKING OF WHOLE GENOME SEQUENCING LAB AT GMCH PATIALA
The Chief Minister, during the meeting, stressed that the finding of Delta plus variant was a matter of concern, making it essential to continue with the curbs.
He noted that the month-wise whole genome sequencing has shown that more than 90 percent is a variant of concern, with the original virus having been practically replaced by variants. Two cases — each from Ludhiana and Patiala — have shown Delta plus variant, while in May and June, the Delta variant was most prevalent, he pointed out.
Of the 198 contacts of the Ludhiana patient traced and tested, one was found positive and the sample has been sent for genome sequencing; while in the Patiala case, for which the genome sequencing report was received on June 26, the process of tracing or testing is going on.
Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan disclosed that genome sampling of as many as 489 samples (including 276 sent in April, 100 in May, and 113 in June were still pending with the central lab). She also clarified that the Delta plus variant was found in samples sent by the State Government in May, whose results were given by the Centre’s labs recently.
Capt Amarinder ordered fast tracking of the establishment of a Whole Genome Sequencing Lab at GMCH Patiala, in association with the international non-profit organization PATH, to make it operational by July. He also ordered intensification of genome sequences of cases reported from clusters in limited geographical, institutional or superspreader event area to check the spread of the potential third wave.
INCREASE TESTING, TRACING: CAPT
Reviewing the preparations for what experts have predicted as an imminent third wave, the Chief Minister directed the Health and Medical Education departments to scale up testing further from the current 40,000 a day and contact tracing, currently at 22 per positive person, at not less than 15 per person. Underlining the need to continue with Corona Mukt Pendu Abhiyan in full force, he also directed the organization of outreach camps especially in villages for testing. On the steps taken to reduce the turnaround time for testing, he stressed the need to proceed expeditiously with the proposal from PATH to support automation of the government lab at GMCH Patiala on a pilot basis, and equip it with barcode scanning so that data is automatically fed into the system.
CAPT APPRECIATES, THANKS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO MARK DOCTORS’ DAY ON JULY 1
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday appreciated and thanked all the doctors and other medical professionals for the excellent job they are doing in helping the state fight the deadly COVID pandemic. “The relentless and self-sacrificing work being done by the professionals, at great risk to their own lives, is an inspiration for one and all,” said the Chief Minister, complementing their hard work.
Thanking them on behalf of the Government and the people of Punjab, the Chief Minister, in a brief message to mark International Doctors’ Day on July 1, said that the whole state was proud of the medical professionals. “Every Punjabi is indebted to the doctors, the medical staff, and all the healthcare workers for their support through these tough times,” said the Chief Minister.
Many of these professionals and workers had lost their colleagues and others in this pandemic, but continued to provide care and treatment to the patients in the face of grave danger to themselves, said Capt Amarinder, adding, “We will not forget your contribution to saving lives. Every Punjabi will always remember your selfless service”.
