Oxygen beds, medicine, testing facilities reviewed at high level meeting
Ranchi, December 26: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren reviewed health department’s preparation for containing spread of Covid new variant BF.7, in view of global surge in cases of new variants
Chief Minister instructed the officials to make concrete arrangements for the availability of hospitals, oxygen supported beds, medicines and medical oxygen.
The Chief Minister cautioned officials that there may be an increase in the number of Covid cases in the coming days and directed to keep the medical system in alert mode.
“Ensure that the state government keeps a close watch on the situation. Keeping in mind the increase in new cases of Covid-19, we need to be seriously prepared for the medical arrangements. Keep the preparations in such a way that in case of emergency there is no chaos. The state government has made tireless efforts in this direction and measures to prevent Covid-19 have been taken on a war footing,” said Soren.
Chief Minister was apprised by the officials that the total number of Covid-19 infected in the state so far is 442568, out of which 437236 patients have been cured, the recovery rate is 98.80% and the national recovery rate is 98.80%. 5331 people have died due to Kovid-19, the death rate is 1.19 percent. As on date, the number of active positive cases of Covid infected patients in the state is only one.
The health department officials informed that instructions have been given to send all positive RT-PCR samples to RIMS, Ranchi for genome sequencing of the new variant of Covid-19.
Necessary instructions have been given by the Health Department to all civil surgeons and other health officials of the districts in a meeting through video conferencing.
The department informed that arrangements have been made to test Covid-19 in government and private laboratories through RT-PCR and RAT kits in the state.
There are 297 True Nat machines has been ensured in the community health centers of all the districts in the state. Rapid antigen kits and BTM kits are available in sufficient number of districts for testing. A total of 10,68,877 lakh rapid antigen kits and 3,59,933 BTM kits are available. Already eight RTPCR labs are operational in the state (RIMS, MGM, PMCH, Phulo Jhano Medical College Dumka, Medininagar Medical College Palamu, Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College, Dhanbad, Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hazaribagh, Itki, District Virology Lab Sahebganj)
RT-PCR labs have been established in 12 districts (Garhwa, Latehar, Koderma, Giridih, Khunti, Simdega, Lohardaga, Chatra, Pakur, Jamtara, Ramgarh and Seraikela-Kharsawa), which after ICMR certification will be activated.
The establishment of RT-PCR labs in seven other districts (Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Bokaro, Deoghar, Gumla and Godda) has also been completed by the state government through Prejha Foundation which will be activated after ICMR certification.
The new genome sequencing machine at RIMS Ranchi has the capacity of sequencing 384 samples. At least 96 samples (12×8) are stored in the sequencer machine at a time. 96 samples can be sequenced. The cost of a chip to do this is about Rs 6.00 lakhs. For sequencing, the machine is run for 48 hours. At present, kits are available for sequencing.
A total of 19,535 beds are available in government institutions for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
A total of 122 PSA plants have been installed in the state. Sufficient amount of oxygen is available in the state and a total of 11 Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) have been made functional in government (five) and private (six) hospitals of the state.
Tender settlement for installation of LMO Tank 10 KL with MGPS in 27 identified health institutions (Medical College and District Hospital) of the state under ECRP-II was issued by the health department.