John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Apr 27: The Commissioner-cum- Secretary (Heath) Dr. V. Candavelou today said that A & N Islands are entering in a critical stage of second wave of COVID-19.
Addressing a press conference today at the conference hall of IP&T, Dr. Candavelou said of late there is surge in COVID-19 cases in these Islands but A & N Administration, Health Department, District Administration and all the other stake holders are putting up their joint efforts to control the surge.
“We all know that this particular infection of COVID-19 spreads from individual to individual, so we have to take appropriate measures like washing hands regularly, avoiding unnecessary travels, avoid gathering in public places,” he added.
Dr. V. Candavelou also mentioned that the eligible people should take get vaccinated (i.e. above 45 years old) and almost 20 percent of the population has been vaccinated and around one lakh doses have been administered so far.
He added that the Administration is preparing for the third phase of the vaccination drive that will cover citizens above 18 years of age.
The Commissioner-cum- Secretary (Heath) also pointed out that the Administration is also imposing various restrictions like restricting the passenger movement in ATR and reducing the movements of inter-islands ships etc.
“So we request cooperation from all the general public and all other stake holders. District Administration is doing their best, reaching out to people staying in home quarantine, providing necessary medicines and also strictly monitoring 24X7 where ever there is a violation,” he added.
Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman also addressed the media and said that Administration is doing its best since the second wave of Corona has started.
He said that despite appeals made to shopkeeper associations, overcrowding was noticed at market places. A drive has been initiated to seal commercial establishments violating COVID-19 protocols. Several commercial establishments have been sealed in the past two days for violating the COVID-19 guidelines.
“The COVID-19 Control Room operating at the DC Office is functioning round the clock and any person showing any symptom of the disease can approach the Control Room for assistance. Many cases have been reported where people tend to conceal their health conditions,” informed Mr Suneel Anchipaka
As soon as one feels any COVID-19 symptoms should immediately intimate to the nearest hospital, he urged.
Dr. Avijit Roy, the Deputy Director of Health and Nodal Officer, COVID-19 informed that 85 percent of the Nicobari population has been vaccinated against COVID-19. Plans are being worked out to inoculate members of other primitive tribes soon. He also said that today 8 flights landed at Port Blair Airport, in which 371 passengers and 10 infants reached. Out of these passengers, 7 people were tested Covid-19 positive. Among these 7 passengers, 5 are Islanders and 2 are defense personnel.
