John Wilbert & Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, Feb 05: After three people from Kerala tested positive for Coronavirus, the Government of Kerala declared the lethal disease caused by the novel Coronavirus as a “state calamity”. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are more vulnerable and there is an urgent need to take this virus more seriously.
Thermal scanners need to be installed at all the Airports and Seaports to ensure not a single person infected with this deadly disease enters these Islands. Presently three positive cases of Corona virus has been detected in Kerala. Many people visit these Islands on daily basis from Kerala. If sufficient precautions are not taken at entry points, the administration will find it very difficult to contain the virus, if ever one such case enters Andaman.
The seriousness of this virus can be gauged from the fact that even a country like China is unable to contain it. Since precaution is better than cure, the Health department should come up with more proactive mechanism to deal with the situation. If needed flow of tourists should be stopped for sometimes to ensure safety of Islanders.
Availability of quality mask in sufficient number for paramedics should be ensured. Airport staffs needs to be sensitized. NGO’s and other stakeholders including those from Tourism sector should be taken to confidence to ensure there is no panic among the masses.
Sadly in Andaman the Health Department do not even have Thermal scanners to scan people entering Andaman from Mainland India. Although the Director of Department claims that all precautionary measures have been put in place lack of Thermal Scanner puts a big question marks.
Meanwhile talking to Andaman Sheekha, Dr Omkar Singh, the Director of Health Services said that the Health Department is planning to procure Thermal Scanners soon but what if it’s too late?
Dr Omkar Singh said that since 02nd February, 2020, two Doctors and Pharmacist have been deployed in the Airport as well as Seaports to check passengers. Further, while talking to Andaman Sheekha, Dr Omkar Singh briefed about the preparedness of Health Department and said that for more precautions Health advisory notice charts have been published in Airport and all Seaports.
“If any ship is coming directly to Mayabunder Port then doctor and pharmacist will be deployed there also,” the DHS said.
Dr Omkar Singh also added that for furthermore precautions 05 bedded isolated rooms is also ready at Govind Ballabh Pant hospital with oxygen ventilator and a team of doctors has also been formed.
He said that if any positive sign of coronavirus is found then the Health Department will send the sample to National Institute of Virology, Pune for testing through ICMR.
“We have sufficient personal protections like mask for face and more than 400 PPE (personal protection equipment) suits and other materials,” Dr Omkar added.
Meanwhile, Dr Omkar Singh has urged Islanders for avoiding crowded places and has also asked everyone to use alcohol based hand sanitizers. He has also suggested Islanders for not keeping their throat dry for a long time and has advised islanders to wash hands very frequently.
thermal scanners should be immediately procured and put up in important points in Andaman and nicobar islands and havelock and niel islands.