Total 912 persons have been kept under surveillance in Himachal Pradesh and samples of 16 persons have been taken for tests, out of which five persons have been reported negative and report of 11 is awaited, Additional Chief Secretary Health R.D. Dhiman said on Tuesday.
As per the advisory of ICMR, the hydroxy- chloroquine could be useful for persons who have come in close proximity of the COVID-19 positive person and in whom the symptoms were not yet evident. He said that there could also be side an effect of it as well, thus he urged to consult the doctors and to avoid misunderstanding that the use of it could prevent COVID-19.
Dhiman said that essential commodities such as masks, gloves, medicines, sanitizers, etc were also being purchased at State level and sent to districts for use of health service providers.
The Additional Chief Secretary urged the people of the state to follow the curfew orders of the state government. He also urged those persons who have come from other countries and their families to provide their information on 104 helpline number and to district administration. He said that legal action would also be taken against those concealing such information.
Dhiman said that another advisory has been issued to all private health institutions and AYUSH practitioners of the state to provide information of persons affected from COVID-19 to the District Surveillance Officer or Chief Medical Officer. He said that directions have been given to provide appropriate safety equipment to all healthcare providers in their organization as well.
He said that in view of the situation of COVID-19, the date for preparing Himcare cards has also been extended from March 31 May 31
Himachal Govt sanctions additional Rs. 10 crore for Health Department The Himachal Government has sanctioned an additional amount of Rs. 10 crore for the State Health Department to fight COVID-19 epidemic in the state. An official spokesman said that this amount was in addition to Rs 5 crore sanctioned earlier. He said that the amount has been sanctioned from the State Disaster Response Fund for purchase of personal protective equipment and improving lab facilities in the state.
Himachal to distribute wheat flour and rice to NFSA families
A spokesperson of the Himachal Food and Civil Supplies Department informed here that the state government has decided to distribute wheat flour and rice to National Food Security Act (NFSA) families for the month of April and May. The authorities have been directed to immediately distribute the quota. He said the supplies have been allocated factory wise and district wise.
Hand sanitizers and masks to be distributed in Gram Panchayats
Due to coronavirus outbreak, Himachal government has decided to distribute hand sanitizers and masks to the people in every panchayat of the state. Block Development Officers have been directed to purchase hand sanitizers and masks for all Gram Panchayats of their development block and to further distribute them to each and every family, a spokesperson said.