Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Singh Parmar today said that immediately after receiving e-mail alert from government of India, necessary advisory has been issued to all the Chief Medical Officers of the State to take preventive and control measures regarding Novel Corona Virus.He said that the information regarding preventive measures has been uploaded on website of the Health department for benefit of all concerned. He said that people are advised to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer could be used. Touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands close contact with people who are sick should be avoided.The Minister said that the state and district nodal officers (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme-State Surveillance Officer and District Surveillance Officer) have been identified to monitor the situation in districts and at State level. The contact numbers of the SSO and DSO’s have also been shared with the government of India as well as call centres (104 & 1100). He said that the state and district rapid response teams (RRT) have been re-notified on 31 January, 2020. The State RRT meeting was held on 6 February, 2020 and district RRT trainings are being conducted in all the districts.Vipin Singh Parmar said that isolation wards have been identified at IGMC Shimla and Dr. RPGMC Tanda. Clinician in-charge has been designated at both the medical Colleges along with sample collection facility at Micro Biology Departments. Isolation wards have also been identified at all the district level hospitals from 7 February onwards.
Hoteliers have been requested through Deputy Commissioners for sensitisation of visitors to self declares if any of the guests has visited China during last 14 days or any time after 15th January 2020.He said that the health out post has been created at PHC- Mcleodganj (Dharamshala) w.e.f. from 1 Feb, 2020 for the benefit of visitors coming from China or any other corona virus affected countries.The Health Minister said that IEC activities have been intensified through newspapers, radio and TV channels to make the public aware about this virus and taking preventive measures. District Health authorities are sensitising public and Panchayati Raj Institutes through the meetings with Zila Prishad, Block Samittee and Gram Sabhas. Helpline number 104 has been activated, which is functioning round the clock. Information is also available on Mukhya Mantri Sewa Sanklap number-1100 in this regard.He said that three dedicated ambulance of 108 with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kits and masks earmarked are available in case of requirement for transportation of cases. Regular reporting is being done by all the districts and then final compiled State report is being shared with union government on daily basis.Vipin Singh Parmar said that the ten people including two Himachalis and 8 Chinese in Solan district have self declared about China visit but none of them have history of travel to Wuhan city in China. All of them are asymptomatic and are observed by Health department for development of fever, cough or respiratory distress.He said that a list of 145 residents belonging to Himachal Pradesh was received from government of India on 3 February, 2020. District health authorities have put all of them on community surveillance. 46 people have completed mandatory 28 days observation and remaining 111 people (additional self reported cases 12 i.e 4 from Chamba and 8 from Solan districts) are being observed on daily basis.