No fresh novel coronavirus case has been reported in Himachal Pradesh for the last three days, a senior health official said on Sunday. Of the 176 samples sent for testing on Sunday, 38 tested negative while reports of the rest are awaited, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman said.
These tests are being conducted at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC) in Tanda, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla and Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli in Solan district.
Himachal Pradesh has so far reported 41 coronavirus cases. While 22 patients have recovered, 13 are undergoing treatment.
Dhiman said residents of the state can take any medical help by sending messages on WhatsApp helpline number -- 01792227328. He also said the thermal screening of all stranded people from Himachal Pradesh who are now returning to the state will be done at interstate borders and they will be kept under mandatory surveillance for at least 14 days.
On Saturday, two more Covid-19 patients had recovered from the disease, taking the total number of those cured in the state to 22.
Eleven patients from Una district, four from Chamba, three each from Solan and Kangra and one from Sirmaur district have recovered so far, Dhiman added.
So far, 41 coronavirus cases have been reported in the state. The number of active cases is 13. Five active cases from Una, two each from Solan, Chamba and Hamirpur, one each from Kangra and Sirmaur are being treated at RPGMC in Tanda in Kangra, Charitable Hospital in Bhota in Hamirpur district and ESIC in Katha in Baddi.Four patients were shifted to a private hospital outside Himachal Pradesh.
Two people have died of Covid-19 in the state. The fatalities include a 70-year-old Delhi resident who had stayed at a guest house of a factory in Baddi in Solan district and died at PGIMER, Chandigarh, on April 2.
HIMACHAL PERMITS SHOPS, EXCEPT SHOPPING MALLS TO REOPEN
Going by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs order, Himachal government on Sunday said all shops, except those in shopping malls, in rural areas will reopen.
In urban areas, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single brand malls, will also reopen during the curfew relaxation time. However, the shops in markets or market complexes and shopping malls in urban areas will remain closed.
These shops will be allowed to open only with 50 per cent strength of workers with strict adherence to wearing masks and maintaining proper social distancing norms. These relaxations pertain only to shops selling items not services.
A spokesperson for the government said that these relaxations will not be applicable in containment zones. The sale of liquor and other specified items as per national directives for Covid-19 management will remain suspended. The shops rendering services like restaurants, salons and barber shops will remain closed during the lockdown till May 3, he added.
NO CLAUSE TO SEAL FACTORY AND IMPRISONMENT OF CEO, SAYS GOVT
Himachal Government on Sunday said that wrong interpretation of the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in wake of Covid-19, is creating a state of confusion in the industrial sector and the common people due to rumours.
A spokesperson of the state government said the MHA has clarified that there is no such clause in the revised guidelines that States may taken legal action, including imprisonment of CEO, in case of Covid-19 positive employee is found in the factory.
Similarly, there is no clause that the premises of the factory will be sealed for three months in such a situation. The Union Ministry has also clarified that there is no provision in the guidelines that in case of non-compliance of precautionary measures, the factory may be closed down for two days and may be allowed to restart after full compliance. The spokesperson said that there is no basis for such misplaced apprehensions.
As per the guidelines, the workplaces and industrial and commercial establishments are required to follow the guidelines to ensure social distancing and follow standard health protocols.