Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday reviewed the updated status of COVID cases and preventive measures being taken in the municipal councils of Raipur and Durg division. President and Chief Municipal Officers of all the municipal councils of Raipur and Durg division participated in In the joint review meeting. While addressing the review meeting, the Chief Minister said that presently, we all are passing through a difficult phase because of this global pandemic, but we are determined to overcome this crisis as soon as possible with the support and co-operation of everyone. Baghel gave instructions to ensure better management in hospitals, to provide easy access to COVID treatment and medicines, and to ensure adequate availability of oxygen beds and life-saving medicines.

 

He added that in view of the spike in the number of COVID cases, any person experiencing symptoms like cold, cough and fever should immediately get their COVID-test done and start taking the prescribed medicines. This will help in containing the infection and in preventing the complications. He especially emphasised on pacing up the vaccination drive and COVID testing of people on a large scale. CM gave strict instructions to ensure regular cleaning and garbage disposal in each and every locality of urban bodies. Meanwhile, he also directed the officials concerned to monitor and inspect all the localities and ensure that people do not gather in large groups at one place. He also directed to ensure compliance to the protocol for prevention of COVID-19 infection.

 

He gave necessary instructions to rigorously conduct COVID tests of people arriving at airports, railway stations and bus stands from other states. The Chief Minister gave instructions to make proper arrangements for treatment of COVID patients in hospitals and for prevention of fire mishaps in hospitals. Ventilators, oxygen-equipped beds, necessary medical equipment and medicines should be made available to the hospitals in adequate quantities, so that the patients do not face any inconvenience. In the same sequence, oximeters and medicines should be made available at gram panchayat level for proper treatment arrangements in rural areas as well. The Chief Minister said that in view of the COVID crisis, the ration stock of May and June will be made available to the PDS beneficiaries free of cost.

 

He directed the urban bodies to ensure quick storage and distribution of this ration allotment. Similarly, the Mayors and the Councilors were asked to ensure better utilization of funds for COVID control and treatment. In the meeting, Urban Administration Minister Dr Shiv Kumar Dahria said that all the urban bodies in the state are constantly striving to control COVID-19 infection and to provide better facilities to the people. Present during the virtual meeting which was held at the official residence of Chief Minister, were Urban Administration Minister Dr Shiv Kumar Dahriya, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Secretary Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi, Secretary (Urban Administration) Alermelmangai D were also present.