Covid: Dharwad prepared to tackle possible fourth wave

Dharwad: Amid the scare of the fourth Covid wave in the country, the Dharwad district administration is prepared to tackle any situation that may arise, according to officials.
Having learnt lessons from the first and second waves, the district administration is not taking risks this time around. Deputy commissioner Gurudatt Hegde has conducted a series of meetings with the officials of the health department, doctors from both government and private sector, and other stakeholders to discuss about the ways and means to tackle the situation.
With the help of health workers and volunteers, nearly 53% of the senior citizens have received the booster (precautionary) dose of Covisheild/ Covaxin. According to officials, so far 72,500 persons aged above 60 years have been administered the booster dose.
Instructions have been given to open one Covid Care Centre in each taluk and eight to nine centres in Hubballi-Dharwad. All Primary Health Centres and government hospitals in the district should step up Covid testing facilities. “The infrastructure facilities created in the past in hospitals, Covid Care Centres and other places have been revived and kept ready for use,” said DC Gurudatt Hegde.
He said 2,000 beds have been kept ready for Covid-infected persons and there are 1,100 beds with oxygen supply facility. “As of now, this preparation is sufficient. If need be, we will seek the facilities at private hospitals,” Hegde informed.
Now, there are no cases of Covid being reported in the district currently and KIMS is catering to the patients with other ailments. “The Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences is equipped to handle Covid patients,” said KIMS director Dr Ramalingappa Antaratani. Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) had played a major role in treating and curing Covid patients during the first and second wave. It served patients from other districts too. Responding to the demand, the government had also provided additional healthcare facilities to the KIMS during previous waves.
The health department is well prepared to handle any eventuality. In Navalgund, 480litres of liquid oxygen with 27 jumbo cylinders is ready. Anganwadi workers are creating awareness among the people about the precautionary measures to be taken to stay protected from infection.
Similarly, in Alnavar, Kalghatagi, Annigeri and Kundgol the awareness campaign is on.
“Although there is no immediate threat of fourth wave, people should be careful. They should not let the guard down. They must wear mask, maintain social distance and sanitise their hands frequently,” said district nodal officer Dr S M Honakeri.