Expedite process of sample testing: Singhdeo to officials
| Date :30-Mar-2020 |
Staff Reporter :
RAIPUR,
Health and Family Welfare Minister T S Singhdeo has directed officials to expedite the process of conducting tests of targeted people under the drive carried out prevention and control of Novel Coronavirus infection. Chairing a review meeting on measures taken towards prevention and control of COVID-19 infection through video conferencing with the officials from State-level Control and Command Centre from his official residence, the Health Minister sought detailed information regarding the measures being taken in State towards prevention and control of COVID-19 infection.
As Singhdeo was in Mumbai during last few days and had returned to Capital on March 27, since then he has kept himself under self-quarantine and conducted the meeting through Skype. He directed the Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CGMSC) to ensure supply of masks and personal safety materials to all districts as per requirement. The Health Minister also directed the officials to make arrangements for testing at least 1,000 samples on daily basis for prevention and control of COVID-19 infection. Secretary (Health) Niharika Barik informed the Minister that as of now 80 to 100 samples of people are being tested on daily basis at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur and Medical College, Jagdalpur.
Till date 450 samples of people have been tested, of which, results of 50 samples are pending. As on Saturday, there are seven COVID-19 positive cases, who’re undergoing treatment. The Health Secretary further informed that teams in every district have been trained for examining samples under coronavirus infection and accordingly Viral Transmission Media (VTM) kits have been made available in districts for collection of samples. During the review meeting the Minister was informed that the first COVID-19 case is under recovery.
The Health Minister was informed that as of now there are no evidences regarding community spread of COVID-19 infection (Third Stage) in State. All necessary assistance is being provided by the teams from WHO and UNISEF. Under the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection, officials and employees under State Surveillance Unit have been allocated responsibilities which include contact tracing, sample testing and reporting, etc. Also present during the meeting were CGMSC MD Bhuvanesh Yadav, Director National Health Mission Dr Priyanka Shukla, Director Health Niraj Bansod and other senior officials.