Jammu: J&K government on Sunday asked Health and Medical Education (HME) Department to closely monitor all “relevant statistics and data in respect of COVID-19 for timely interventions wherever required.”
Besides, the HME department and the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been instructed to sensitise people about Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest (VoCA/VoI) of COVID-19 including the newly discovered Variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron).
While asking the Deputy Commissioners to keep active track of the positivity rates in their respective jurisdictions, it was directed that “strict perimeter control (micro-containment zone) will be implemented for localities where COVID-19 positive cases number reaches 3 and above.”
These instructions formed part of a new set of guidelines issued by State Executive Committee (SEC) of J&K Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, this evening.
“Through the medium of an effective IEC campaign, the Department of Health and Medical Education, Jammu and Kashmir and the District Disaster Management Authorities must ensure that the people are sensitised about the Variants of Concern/Variants of Interest (VoCA/Vol) of COVID-19 including the newly discovered Variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron),” directed the Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, who is also the SEC chairperson.
“The DCs shall keep active track of the positivity rates in their respective jurisdictions. Strict perimeter control (Micro-Containment Zone) shall be implemented for localities where COVID-19 positive cases number reaches 3 and above. This shall be done to ensure no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. Standard Operating Procedure shall be followed for these defined Micro Containment Zones,” he instructed.
He also asked the Chief Medical Officers of all districts to submit a daily report regarding the utilisation of available RT-PCR capacities to the District Magistrates concerned. “Besides, District Magistrates shall also go for capacity expansion of the RT-PCR testing as per the requirement,” Mehta instructed.
“All Deputy Commissioners shall intensify testing and ensure full utilisation of available RT-PCR and RAT capacities. There shall be no drop in testing levels. They will also focus on the positivity rates of the medical-blocks under their jurisdictions. Intensified measures related to COVID management and restriction of activities shall be undertaken in these blocks,” SEC ordered.
District Magistrates have been asked to take all necessary measures for enforcement of testing protocols.
“All District Magistrates and health workers shall take all steps necessary to achieve the overall objective of reducing Covid-19 incidence level,” SEC instructed.