Chief Secretary Anil Khachi called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan today and apprised him about various public welfare schemes and programmes of the State Government. He also briefed about the preparations and present situation of Covid-19 in the state.On the occasion, the Governor took stock of the health preparedness in the state for probable third wave of Covid-19. He said that the second wave of Corona was almost over but we need to be alert for the probable third wave. He added that we should focus more on infrastructure development related to health, availability of health workers and the guidelines issued from time to time should be followed strictly. He said that tourism activities have increased rapidly in the state, so there was a need to be more vigilant.He expressed satisfaction that the active ratio of covid-19 was 0.56 percent and positivity rate was 7.7 percent. He said that the recovery rate was nearly 98 percent but it should be improved to hundred percent. He stressed the need to intensify the vaccination campaign in the state and said that vaccines were the only way to prevent this pandemic. He also discussed horticulture activities in view of the upcoming apple season. He said that road maintenance should be done before the season and marketing system to be upgraded.
The Chief Secretary said that the State Government was ensuring proper and qualitative facilities in the hospitals. He said that during the second wave, there was no shortage of oxygen in the state and concerted efforts have also been made regarding the probable third wave. Health infrastructure was being strengthened and supply lines including equipment, medicines and machines have been put in place, he added. He apprised that adequate deployment of health staff have been made and special attention would be made for pediatrics section. In view of this, pediatric doctors have been on alert and their webinars were being organized regularly. Video conferencing was also being done with the specialist doctors of PGI Chandigarh in this regard, he added. He said that a total 43,45,139 doses were administered till date.He also briefed about the horticulture activities in the state and preparedness of the Government for the coming apple season. Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Amitabh Awasthy said that 26,33,662 persons were tested for COVID-19 till date, out of which 2428930 were tested negative and 204098 tested positive. He said that 1,99,444 patients have cured and there are 1150 active cases in the state. He added that total cumulative deaths reported till date were 3486 and case fatality rate was 1.70 percent. He said that there were 2632 oxygen beds, 247 ICU beds and 3618 Covid beds available in the State.