ITANAGAR, Mar 8: In wake of the Coronavirus concern that is gradually gripping the entire country, the Directorate of Health Services, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme on Sunday issued a 'Covid-19 Media Bulletin' giving an elaborate picture of the exact position of the disease and the preparedness level of the state thereto.
The bulletin has clarified that no cases of Covid-19 has been detected in Arunachal Pradesh as on March 8 and all surveillance and containment measures against the possible spread of the disease has been strengthened, assuring the common people not to panic. The following actions have been taken by the State Department of Health on Covid-19- all DCs have been instructed to conduct meetings with DMOs and DSOs IDSP to review the preparedness and activate the surveillance activities and spread awareness on coronavirus. A 24x7 Control room has been set up at State IDSP for responding to any queries on Coronavirus regarding travel advisories, guidance documents and do's and don'ts. The control room numbers are 9436055743, 8837052402/9999723102. The State and the districts Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been put on alert to act as first responders for any cases if detected in the state. For creating mass awareness, actions taken by the SSU-IDSP include radio talks over AIR Itanagar, panel discussion on DDK Itanagar and local cable network. The district IDSPs are also conducting awareness drives at various levels and bi-weekly Video Conferences are being conducted with the MOH & FW, GoI through the NIC network.
Coming to hospital preparedness, the bulletin has informed creation of isolation ward for COVID-19 positive cases in district hospitals/General Hospital and TRIHMS and BPGH (Pasighat). For cluster containment strategy of suspect cases, quarantine facilities are identified in five districts and are kept in readiness. For Surveillance/Tracking of suspected cases there will be tracking of the location of the list of travellers to Arunachal. Till date twelve people from Arunachal Pradesh, who have travelled from COVID-19 affected countries has been shared by GoI to State Surveillance Unit (SSU) -Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) for tracking and observation. Out of these twelve, six are presently based outside the state and are asymptomatic and their contact details have been shared with the respective state SSU's. Two passengers who are also asymptomatic are in the state and have been advised home quarantine for 14 days from their date of arrival and are under daily observation by the District Surveillance Unit (DSU). As contact details are not available of four passengers, DSUs are currently in the process of tracking and physically verifying their whereabouts.
The bulletin has also urged the general public to adhere to health advisories issued by the State Government and follow proper respiratory/cough etiquette by covering the nose and mouth using handkerchief/towel while sneezing/coughing and do frequent hand washing with soap and water. Those who have arrived from the COVID-19 affected countries should remain under strict home quarantine if they are found to be asymptomatic, while in the symptomatic cases, IDSP will make arrangement for the sample collection for testing by PCR in either GMC/RMRC, ICMR Dibrugarh. Till the report is available they shall be kept in strict quarantine for 28 days from the date of arrival in India, irrespective of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. 
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Itanagar Capital Region Komkar Dulom on Sunday convened an emergency meeting with the pharmacists/chemists of the twin capitals to discuss the precautionary measures to be adopted against Coronavirus.

DC said that there are various rumours surrounding COVID 19 which is creating panic amongst the denizens. The unavailability of mask and hand sanitizers in the market has further added to the worry.  Taking stock of the unavailability of these two commodities, DC urged the President, Arunachal Pradesh Chemist & Druggist Association (APCDA) Pawan Bagang who is also the distributor of hand sanitizers to ensure availability of these products in the market as early as possible. He also urged the pharmacists/chemists not to take undue advantage of the situation by increasing the price and sell at fixed MRPs. He also enquired about the isolation ward at TRIHMS to which the Deputy Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Tao Kakki informed that one  block has been identified which has a capacity of 6 beds which can further be upgraded to 35. DC also assured that he will take up the matter with RKM Hospital to set up isolation ward in their hospital.
SDPO Itanagar Kamdam Sikom has also been directed to facilitate screening at check gates, railway stations and helipad, if needed as per advisory of the state and in case of any suspected cases found, the same be immediately brought to TRIHMS. As high temperature slows down the spread of the virus, DC has appealed the denizens to consume hot food and beverages and maintain hygiene. DC has further appealed the denizens to cooperate with the Administration and not to jump to conclusions created by rumours, adding that rumour mongers and those spreading wrong messages on social media shall be dealt strictly and FIRs will be filed against them followed by action as per law. He further assured that all necessary measures are being taken care by the Administration to stop the spread of virus in the state.
DMO Dr Mandip Perme informed that the State Level meeting on COVID 19 has been recently conducted and the department is ready for any kind of emergency. He further informed that the mortality rate by the virus is 2% which has slow rate of spreading and therefore people should not panic and remain alert by following the basic dos and don’ts. Earlier President APCDA informed that there are 800 plus registered pharmacies in the Capital region and efforts are on to make hand sanitizers available in every pharmacy.
Among others, the meeting was attended by the Executive Magistrates, Police and MO In charges of the Capital Region.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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