Div Com reviews preventive measures, devises SOPs

Srinagar, Mar 19: After assuming charge as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Padurang K. Pole Thursday chaired high level meetings to review the fool proof preparedness of Divisional and District Administrations to combat the spreading of COVID-19 across valley.
The Divisional Commissioner sought detailed feedback from all Deputy Commissioners regarding number of isolation wards, quarantine beds, testing labs, functioning of 24×7 control rooms, availability of VTM kits, protective gear, masks and other equipment in Public Health Centers, district and other major hospitals.
The meeting was informed that 50,000 kits are in pipeline which will be distributed soon.
The Divisional Commissioner devised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for ensuring better inter departmental coordination and further streamlining the preventive measures.
It was decided that SKIMS Soura would cater the testing facilities for suspected persons of district Ganderbal and Bandipora, similarly SMHS and CD Hospitals are earmarked for Srinagar and Budgam suspected persons whereas testing facilities for Baramullah & Kupwara would be available at Baramullah District Hospital. Anantnag district hospital for Anantnag & Kulgam and Pulwama district hospital for Pulwama & Shopian suspected persons.
Separate COVID-19 and other Flu Corners will be designated and erected separately at all Emergency centers at hospitals with signage.
To minimize the footfall in hospitals, on call consultation will be available at 24X7 call centers in which doctors will deliver necessary health tips to the general public.
It is mandatory 14 days quarantine for such persons who have a foreign travel history including Leh and Kargil bound passengers.
After Airport Screening, symptomatic persons with travel history to affected countries will be shifted to Hospital Quarantine at Isolation Hospital, Sanat Nagar and SKIMS (MC), Bemina. Asymptomatic person from affected countries will be transferred to non-hospital quarantine facilities for further examination.
Dedicated Medical teams with protection suits will be deployed at hospital and non-hospital quarantines.
Provision of Ambulance and staff for transfer for any asymptomatic cases besides sampling, testing, treatment and management of confirmed cases will be monitor by concerned designated officers.
As Police officers have expertise in investigations as such, DSPs are deputed to trace the contacts of infected persons in friendly manner for immediate testing and quarantine.
The Div Com appealed people not panic and heed to rumors and rely on daily Coronavirus bulletin which is being issued by the government in transparent manner and urged the people to adopt preventive measures and cooperate with the authorities so that any eventuality is tackled smoothly.
He stressed concerned officers to play proactive role in the awareness campaign and maintain inter departmental coordination.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, MD NHM & Incharge Coronavirus Control Efforts (CCE) Bupinder Kumar, Additional Commissioner Kashmir Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Director Health Services Dr Sameer Mattoo, SSP, CMO health Services, Senior Officers of SKIMS & GMC Hospitals, GM SRTC, Assistant Commissioner (central) Aziz Ahmad Rather and other concerned officers were present in the meeting where as nine Deputy Commissioners participated through video conferencing.