Fight against Omicorn

Although the no cases of new COVID variant have been found in Jammu and Kashmir so far, the administration has pull up socks to combat the new threat. The adminstration has been taking several measures to tackle the threat. The administration has effectively restricted the spread of infection during 1st and 2nd wave with precautionary measures. The efforts initiatives, which were put in place by the adminstration of Union Territory has also draw the attention of Centre. The centre lauded in the administration and extended full support. The union government has released 128.82 crores in the current fiscal year to J&K under Emergency COVID Response and Health Response Plan (ECRP- II) to support J&K for upgrading health infrastructure and better treatments to the COVID patients. With the release of these funds the total financial assistance provided by Centre to Jammu and Kashmir has reached to Rs 323.4 crores under ECRP packages as a sum of Rs 194.58 crores was released by Centre in 2019-2020. Now during the threat of new variant, the Jammu and Kashmir government has been taking several measures and mobilising health care workers to intensify testing. In addition, the Jammu and Kashmir health department has also been asked to roll out suitable training modules for medical and paramedical staff to optimally manage pediatric wards and ICUs. The higher authroties have been asked to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour, improve the rate of testing as per respective target, adherence to Covid SOPs, and ensure fool-proof containment measures in micro containment zones. The enforcement agencies were asked to strictly implement the COVID-19 protocols and levy fines on habitual defaulters. The existing strategies must be recalibrated towards ensuring low rates of infection in districts, and case trajectory be closely monitored to keep the daily reported cases below 50. The Health and Medical Education Department was asked to conduct an equipment audit and regularly check the functionality of Covid-related infrastructure, including COVID dedicated hospitals, ventilators, oxygen supported beds and plants. The department was also directed to ensure the readiness of manpower and machinery and firm up the inventory of oxygen supply and medicines, he said, adding that it was asked to furnish weekly reports on all these parameters. Under the ECRP II, the department was asked to augment the ICU-beds and related facilities to approximately 300 in each division, including DRDO ICUs with a special focus on the pediatric ICU beds. With these initiatives, the Jammu and Kashmir government will win fight against the new variant of COVID.