Chandigarh : The 104 helpline of the Punjab government shall provide 24×7 real-time information about the availability of beds in the hospitals. This was decided at a high-level meeting to review the current Covid-19 situation in the state chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Expressing concern at the reports about the shortage of beds for Covid-19 patients in various parts of the country, he said the current situation is comparatively comfortable in Punjab. The Chief Minister asked the health department to ensure that 75% beds are reserved in L2 and L3 facilities for Covid care besides imposing a complete ban on elective surgeries so that the hospitals should focus on the Covid treatment.
Captain Amarinder further appreciated the Western Command for making efforts to dedicate more beds and manpower for Covid care in the military hospitals.
He said the fresh restrictions have led to the stabilisation of the overall situation. He said the CFR has already declined from 1.75% to 1.4% in the state. “Our R naught value of 1.09 is minimal in the region and much lower than the national average but our positivity rate remains high at 10.3%,” shared Captain Amarinder. However, there could be no room for complacency and the state must remain ready to face any contingency, he added.
The Chief Minister asked the police department to ensure strict enforcement of the restrictions put in place to prevent the further spread of the virus. DGP Dinkar Gupta updated him that 220 contact tracing teams have been working day and night to ensure limited gatherings as per the government norms. He said 156 FIRs have been lodged against the erring owners of marriage palaces, restaurants, and hotels.
Captain Amarinder expressed satisfaction over the increase in testing and sampling which has now crossed the 50,000-mark daily.
Ordering a crackdown on oxygen hoarding in the State, the Chief Minister categorically stated that no trader or manufacturer would be allowed to indulge in illegal hoarding of liquid medical oxygen and anybody found wanting would be dealt with sternly.