Chandigarh, April 28: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that amid recurrence of COVID-19 infection, the State Government while adopting an empathetic approach is leaving no stone unturned to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply, availability of doctors, hospital beds, setting up of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, making containment zones to contain the virus spread or ensuring vaccination to every beneficiary across the State.
The Chief Minister while addressing a Press Conference here today said that presently the availability of oxygen in the state is about 162 MT and yesterday the Central Government has approved 70 MT additional oxygen for Haryana.
"This increased quantity will be made available in the next two to three days. A special oxygen train has been sent to Orissa to transport carrying this additional stock of 70 MT of oxygen," informed the Chief Minister.
He said that some tankers have also been airlifted to Orissa and besides this, adequate numbers of oxygen concentrators are also being ordered from abroad.
The Chief Minister while urging the people of the State and Political parties to stay united as they fight this Pandemic said that in this hour of crisis we should stay positive and keep our spirits high.
"The availability of beds in the hospitals across the State is being closely monitored by me. I have visited many hospitals to check the availability," said the Chief Minister while informing the media persons regarding the availability of beds in the State.
He said that a 500 bedded hospital is under construction in Panipat, to be situated alongside an oxygen plant. Besides this, another hospital having a capacity to accommodate 500 patients is being built at Jindal School in Hisar district. While an arrangement of 650 beds has been made at PGI Rohtak and of which 150 beds has been allotted to the patients, asserted the Chief Minister.
Furthermore, 100 beds are being arranged in Faridabad, 250 beds in the guest house of a private company in Gurugram. The army has also offered to provide doctors and paramedical staff for the Medical College, Faridabad said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that work of deputing final year MBBS and PG students for the treatment of COVID-19 patients is also going on. Also, as per the requirement in hospitals, a plan of deputing administrative officers who also hold MBBS and other medical degrees is also being chalked out.
Many NGOs and volunteers are also coming forward to help the State Government in this hour of crisis, he added.
Responding to a question asked regarding the imposition of lockdown in the State, the Chief Minister said that imposing lockdown certainly affects State's economy, therefore the State Government has decided not to impose lockdown and to run the industries while strictly following the COVID-19 guidelines and protocol.
He said that instead of imposing lockdown, directions have been given to the Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict implementation of Section 144 imposed in their respective districts. Administrative officials are being deployed to ensure there is no overcrowding at any place. Permission should be sought before conducting various social programmes like marriages. He urged the people of the state to organize their functions within the prescribed limits and strictly follow the COVID-19 guidelines.
The Chief Minister also clarified that his media statement given during his visit to Rohtak regarding the data of COVID-19 death was misinterpreted.
"When someone loses their loved ones, it is very natural that they are emotionally and mentally hurt. It is our utmost duty to save every citizen during this Pandemic", said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that by forgetting political differences, the whole society has to come together and have to put up a tough fight against this Pandemic.
"Atleast one member of every family should be imparted first aid training so as to tackle any medical situation in this Pandemic", said the Chief Minister.
He said that there is no shortage of oxygen or life-saving injections and medicines in the state. He appealed to the people to take Remedisivir and other injections only after consulting the doctor. Doctors have also said that Remidisivir injection remains effective for six to seven days after a person is tested COVID-19 positive, he said.
The Chief Minister further informed that 3000 doses of this injection are available in government hospitals. There are some problems in the distribution of stock available to private hospitals, for which separate officers have been appointed to resolve this issue.
The Chief Minister said that this year's COVID-19 wave is not similar to the previous year. Last year, the maximum daily figure of COVID-19 infected patients was 3100 and by February this number had reduced considerably. However, in the last three to four days, as many as 10,000 to 12,000 fresh COVID-19 cases are being reported in the State every day, he added.
“Amid current surge, adequate additional health arrangements are being made. Whereas earlier arrangements were made keeping in view the daily number of 3100 patients," he informed.
The Chief Minister said that the registration process for vaccination of all those above 18 years have been started and by April 30, 2021 the registration data would be made available.
He said that 50 lakh doses have been ordered for this vaccination campaign and amount of Rs. 250 crore have been spent on this.
"This vaccination campaign will be conducted in hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, dispensaries, and other institutions. Those who register will get the vaccination date and venue message on their mobiles," said the Chief Minister.
He appealed to the people of the State to get themselves vaccinated on the allocated time, date, and place. He said that all the information related to COVID-19 can be obtained on 1075 helpline number.
Responding to another question regarding the number of daily tests being conducted in the State, the Chief Minister said that 40,000 to 50,000 tests are being conducted every day and upto one lakh samples have been tested in a single day by running the Mega test campaign.
Sh. Manohar Lal while urging the media to cooperate in creating a positive atmosphere in society said, "COVID-19 is a natural disaster. Though, compared to the number of new patients, 75 percent of patients are recovering and going home every day. This percentage will improve in coming days."
He said that the death rate was 1.1 percent last year, which is now 0.88 percent, which is better as compared to many states.
Increase in the footfall of patients coming from Delhi has increased pressure on state hospitals
The Chief Minister said that in this hour of crisis, the State Government on ethical grounds cannot refuse treatment to any patient coming from any part of the country.
He said that as the number of patients coming from Delhi to the hospitals of Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat has increased, therefore pressure is also increasing in the hospitals of these districts. "Patients from Delhi are even being treated in the hospitals located in Ambala district," he said.
The number of new patients is now decreasing in Delhi. We hope that soon this number will be reduced in Haryana as well and the situation will improve, said the Chief Minister.
Sh Manohar Lal appealed to the people of the state to strictly follow the COVID-19 guidelines so as to break the virus chain.
He said that directions have been given to closely monitor the markets and only shops of essential commodities are to remain open during the curfew timings imposed from 6.00 pm onwards beside which also Section 144 is to be imposed strictly.
The Chief Minister said that last year, Micro Containment Zones were made, but this time Macro Containment Zones have been made so that arrangements can be handled properly.
Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director, General, Information, Public Relations, and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal and Principal Media Advisor to Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Vinod Mehta and other senior officials were also present on this occasion.