AGARTALA, May 14 - A three-member Central medical team led by Prof GK Medha, head of the Department of Community Medicine of the Meghalaya-based NEIGRIHMS arrived at Ambassa in Dhalai district today. The visit comes in the aftermath of a major COVID-19 outbreak in the 86th and 138th battalions of the BSF headquartered at Jawaharnagar.
The team, which came by road, later held a video conference with officials of the Central Surveillance Team, New Delhi at the conference hall of the District Magistrate (DM) of Dhalai. Thereafter, they had a separate meeting with the DM and the CMO of Dhalai district.
The Central team will take part in a scheduled meeting with Tripura Additional Chief Secretary RK Rakesh, who is handling the COVID-19 battle in the State, here tomorrow.
It may mentioned here that 155 samples had tested positive in Tripura with most of the cases being reported from Jawaharnagar where the two BSF battalion headquarters are based. The outbreak set alarm bells ringing, prompting the State Government to seek help from the Centre. The Central team is expected to suggest a road map to stop a possible community transmission in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak at Jawaharnagar.
During the past 24 hours, 16 BSF jawans, who had earlier tested positive, were released from the GB Pant Hospital here following their recovery. They will now be quarantined at the BSF Hospital at Salbagan.
A total of 11,733 samples were collected for COVID-19 tests in Tripura so far, out of which tests were conducted on 11,146 cases. Eighteen COVID-19 patients have recovered from the disease and there has been no casualty till date.
Meanwhile, the State Government has decided to increase the manpower engaged in the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. As many as 24 doctors and an equal number of nurses will be appointed on an urgent basis to augment the shortage in skilled manpower. All the new appointments will be made on contractual basis. A doctor will receive a month pay package of Rs 50,000, while a nurse will get Rs 20,000.
