Punjab Governor and Administrator of UT of Chandigarh, VP Singh Badnore on Saturday expressed concern about the outbreak of a new positive case in Bapu Dham Colony, particularly because the area is congested and the patient used to work in GMCH-32.
In a meeting of top officials of the city, he directed Principal Secretary (Health) to ensure that all contacts of the patients are traced and necessary quarantine is done.
He also directed Director General of Police, Sanjay Beniwal to initiate criminal proceedings against the patient for reportedly hosting a celebratory party in his house a few days back, thereby violating both curfew orders and social distancing norms.
Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary (Health) said 130 contacts of the patient of Bapu Dham Colony have been identified and necessary steps are being taken to quarantine them.
He said the hostels of Panjab University are being requisitioned only as a last resort to keep as a standby for Covid Care in the extreme case of widespread infection, clarifying that the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of Panjab University have been personally requested to ensure that the students are not put to any difficulty.
"No student will be required to come to pick up their belongings during the curfew period. Their belongings will be stored safely in the store room by the University authorities," he said.
As the Director, PGIMER informed that non-critical patients are being sent to PGIMER without prior checking for Covid-19, the Administrator directed Principal Secretary (Health) to take up the matter with the neighbouring states and to ensure that necessary screening is done before such patients are treated in city hospitals. He expressed apprehension that if the major hospitals of the Chandigarh become a hub for infection, then the entire health management system will get crippled.
In the meeting, K K Yadav, Commissioner, Municipal said a new Control and Command Centre has been opened for monitoring Covid Management in the city.
The officials will be able to supervise distribution of vegetable, fruits, milk, bread and sanitation work in the control room.
The Administrator alongwith Adviser and Director General of Police will attend video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The Central Government is likely to make major announcements after the conference.