GUWAHATI, July 18 - In view of the spike in Covid-19 positive cases in the State, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today held a video conference with the principals of medical colleges of the State and asked them to prepare an action plan incorporating new initiatives and challenges in the face of spiraling number of Covid patients and submit them to the government.
Talking to the principals through video conference at his residence here today, the Chief Minister took stock of the patients� load that each medical college is handling, ICU facilities, treatment for non-Covid patients, etc. He also said that in view of the surging number of Covid-19 positive cases in all the medical colleges and hospitals, the principals should prepare action plans and submit the same to the government. Sonowal also drew the attention of the principals that in the absence of any anti-dote to treat Covid-19 cases, they should promote the plasma therapy and popularize it and motivate the recovered Covid patients to donate plasma for other patients.
Principal Secretary to Health and Family Welfare Samir Sinha informed in the conference that in the next 15 days the health department would appoint 200 new nurses in the State.
The Chief Minister, in another meeting today at his official residence here, directed the home department officials to constitute a committee in each district to study and make recommendations for strengthening security arrangements at health facilities to be put in place during treatment of COVID-positive jail inmates.
He asked the officials to set up a three-member committee in each district, including an Additional Deputy Commissioner, Additional Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Jail.
He also directed the officials to take expeditious measures for implementation of the recommendations of the committees in the districts.
It may be mentioned that 7 of the 31 jails in the State have reported COVID cases.
Reviewing steps taken for setting up a separate COVID Care Centre at Guwahati Central Jail, the Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary of Health to expeditiously implement the same.
The Principal Secretary of Health informed the Chief Minister about the jail inmates who have tested COVID positive and steps taken for their treatment. The Inspector of Prisons apprised the Chief Minister about the security arrangements being made for jail inmates.
