As a precautionary measure to check the spread of corona virus, Punjab Government on Friday announced the closure of its schools, colleges and universities, both Government and private, till March 31. However, the school examination would continue as per schedule.
Announcing this, the State Higher Education Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said that on the directions of the Chief Minster, this decision has been taken keeping in view the threat of corona virus (COVID-19).
“As this virus is spreading all over the world, the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has issued directions to the Higher Education Department to take precautionary measures to prevent spreading of corona virus,” he said.
The State Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said that corona virus (COVID-19) is spreading all over the world, and it was necessary that precautionary measures should be intensified to prevent the disease and sensitize each and everyone.
“All Government and private schools in the State will be closed up till March 31 as precautionary measures. But the schools holding exams will remain open and examinations will continue as per schedule,” he said.
Singla said that fever, coughing and difficulty in breathing are common symptoms of corona virus. Hence, it is important to use tissue or handkerchief while coughing and sneezing, cover nose with elbows and maintain respiratory or sneezing etiquettes. Use mask, frequently wash hands with soap and maintain distance from person having fever or cough, he added.
Categorically appealing to the students to wash hands with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer time to time, the Minister said: “No self medication to be taken and medical specialist should be consulted for the treatment.”
Cautioning to refrain from unsafe contact with pets and wild animals, he said that if any symptom of corona virus found, isolate the patient and immediately report to the nearest health authorities.
Pertinently, the State Government has set up helpline-104 for any health related information and suggestion. In addition, National Call Center No. 011-23978046 and State Control Room No. 88720-90029 and 0172-2920074 have also been activated.
PUNJAB ISSUES PRECAUTIONARY ADVISORY
To keep a close tab on the emerging threats of COVID-19 in the State, the Group of seven Ministers (GoM) on Friday decided to launch a statewide awareness drive at a mass level to educate the people to adopt strict preventive measures to check the spread of the virus in the State.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had constituted a high level group of ministers under the chairmanship of Brahm Mohindra, with OP Soni, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Razia Sultana, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Vijay Inder Singla and Bharat Bhushan Ashu as its members, to take stock of the situation on day-to-day basis.
Besides, the GoM also has to ensure the availability of requisite medicines, availability of medical and para medical staff and setting up of adequate quarantine wards across the State to isolate the suspected COVID 19 cases.
“The State administrative machinery took immediate action to check the spread of the disease, and at present, 2200 quarantine beds are ready throughout the State, besides 250 ventilators in private sector hospitals, whereas 20 ventilators are ready each in Government Medical Colleges at Amritsar and Patiala,” said Mohindra after the GoM meeting on Friday.
He said that the consistent awareness campaign would be launched in close coordination with all the Government departments, Indian Medical Association (IMA), social and religious organizations and NGOs to educate the masses to refrain from shaking hands, mass gatherings, religious congregations and to follow the disinfectant practices to keep themselves away from reach of COVID 19.
He said that Anganwari Workers, district and block development panchayat officers (DDPOs and BDPOs), panchayat secretaries would establish personal contact with all the households in the rural areas to sensitize the ruralities. Likewise, the District Education Officers (DEOs) would ensure that the school students gathered in morning assemblies must maintain one meter distance between each other.
The Minister said that the Group of Ministers would review the action taken report to review the compliance and progress of directions issued by the GoM on Monday.
RELIGIOUS LEADERS, DERA HEADS APPEALED TO POSTPONE MASS CONGREGATIONS
Punjab Government has issued instructions to the Deputy Commissioners that no permission be granted for any mass gatherings. At the same time, the religious leaders and dera heads have also been requested to postpone the schedule of their religious congregations.
PUNJAB LOOKS FOR 7 PERSONS WHO RETURNED FROM COVID-AFFECTED COUNTRIES
Seven suspected patients of coronavirus (COVID-19), who recently returned from coronavirus-affected countries, went missing from Ludhiana on Friday. The police have issued a lookout notice to trace the individuals who, upon their arrival, were advised to undergo home quarantine or visit the hospital.
On its toes, the State health authorities have sought the help of District Administration and the Police to locate seven people after their addresses were found to be incorrect.
Ludhiana Civil Surgeon Rajesh Bagga said that the seven people from Ludhiana district had recently returned from the coronavirus-hit countries. “These seven people are not traceable and the addresses given by them at the time of their arrival are found to be incorrect,” he said.
“We have sought the help of district administration and the police to help locate the people so that they can be medically examined,” said the Civil Surgeon.
Senior officials of the Punjab Police have also confirmed that the persons who had returned from coronavirus-affected countries fled to Ludhiana, and ever since went missing. The Punjab police and the Administration have said that even if one of them turns out to be positive, he or she may infect several others.
Realizing the rate of transmission from coronavirus infected persons as a single infected individual had spread COVD-19 to 10,000 people in South Korea, the police have put in all efforts to trace the missing persons and to admit them into a quarantine facility immediately.
Notably, as on March 13, a total of 88,209 passengers, including at Amritsar and Mohali international airports, had been screened for coronavirus in Punjab. So far, one person in Punjab who returned from Italy had tested positive for COVID-19, while eight are found to be symptomatic.