DC takes stock of situation, appoints ADCP as nodal officer

Ludhiana: In view of Covid-19 scare and to tackle any untoward situation related to it, deputy commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal on Thursday took stock of the arrangements made by the district administration and issued necessary directions. The meeting was attended by additional deputy commissioner (Jagraon) Neeru Katyal Gupta, all SDMs, civil surgeon Rajesh Kumar Bagga, besides several others.
During the meeting, the civil surgeon, Ludhiana, brought this fact to light that although the health department was keeping track of all people that had visited the affected countries/areas in the last few days, but some people were not cooperating with the department. On the directions of the deputy commissioner, the police department has appointed ADCP (operations and security) as nodal officer for the police commissionerate, Ludhiana area, DSP (headquarters) for Ludhiana (rural) and DSP (headquarters) for Khanna. The deputy commissioner also stated that if any person refused to cooperate for treatment or check-up, the health department could get in touch with these police officials.
Agrawal said if any person was found suffering from Covid-19, then such persons can be isolated in their respective homes as well. He said there was no need to take any special medicine for treatment and one could remain in isolation for 14 days at one’s home and take normal medication. He directed the police department to not arrest any person who refused to cooperate for check-up or treatment and instead wherever such a person is found, they should get in touch with the health department and ensure his proper check-up and isolation.
The DC said till date, three samples of suspected patients had been taken in the district and all of them were negative. He also directed all SDMs and municipal corporation officials to identify all buildings that were not in use in the district so that they can be used as isolation wards if any situation arises. He also directed them to organise mock drills in different parts of the district and appealed to private hospitals to support the district administration in case of any emergency.
He also appealed to residents of the district to ensure that they follow all guidelines and instructions being issued by the Punjab government and health department, so that one is able to save himself from any untoward situation. Civil Surgeon Dr Rajesh Kumar Bagga clarified that no suspected case of Covid-19 has been reported here till date.
As per the advisory, it has been stated that one should not shake hands or hug anyone, do not spit in open, any person having fever should not go out in public and keep at least 1m distance from any person having cough or fever. If any person is having cough or fever, he should always keep his mouth covered with a mask or handkerchief and should report immediately to their nearest government hospital. Similarly, if any person has travelled to China or Nepal in the last 14 days, he should be quarantined for 14 days in his house and should not visit any crowded place. As per the advisory, any healthy person who does not have cough or fever, need not need a mask.
The helpline number for Ludhiana district is 0161-2444193 or one can contact Dr Divjot Singh at 9041274030 or Dr Ramesh Kumar at 9855716180.
He appealed to the residents that this disease is fully curable and there is no need to panic. He also said that people should not fall prey to rumours spread on social media about coronavirus. He clarified that the District Administration had already made adequate arrangements to tackle any situation.