In view of surge in Covid-19 cases, Himachal Government has decided that all educational institutions of the State would remain closed till May 1 and faculty of schools, colleges and universities would also not come to their duty.
The State cabinet meeting has also been convened on April 22 to take a few more decisions to contain the spread of Covid-19.
These decisions were taken during a review meeting on COVID-19 situation presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.The Chief Minister said that the State Government has also decided to put a complete ban on transfers of field functional staff.He directed the officers to enhance the bed capacity in the hospitals. Steps would be taken to ensure proper availability of oxygen and medical staff in the state, he said.
Thakur said that bed capacity would be enhanced in Nerchowk Medical College, IGMC Shimla, Zonal Hospital Dharamshala, Tanda Medical College, Sunder Nagar Hospital and various other hospitals.
He said that health workers would be posted in appropriate numbers for care of COVID-19 patients. Special emphasis is being laid on providing better health care and other facilities to the patients under home isolation, he added.
The vaccination drive has been given added pace in the state and so far 11.46 lakh people have been inoculated the first dose. The state is on 7th position in the vaccination drive in the country on the basis of population density rate, the Chief Minister further said.
BOX: HP reports major spike with 1695 fresh cases, 13 deaths
In a major spike in COVID-19 cases, Himachal Pradesh on Monday reported 1695 fresh positive cases and 13 fatalities. Five deaths were reported in Kangra, two each in Shimla, Una and Solan and one each in Chamba and Mandi, stated the Himachal’s evening health bulletin.
The death toll has reached 1190 while the total caseload was 78070 in the state.
Of the1695 fresh cases, a maximum of 525 cases were reported in Kangra district followed by 308 in Solan. 196 fresh cases were reported in Shimla, 185 in Mandi and 145 in Sirmour.
The active cases jumped to 9783 in the state. Kangra has the highest number of active cases at 2289 followed by 1866 in Solan and 956 in Shimla.
593 people recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours taking the total recoveries to 67072.
Till date, over 13.92 lakh COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the state.