Administration Issues Press Release to inform arrangements for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19

Port Blair, Aug 07: The spread of the COVlD-19 pandemic is a matter of serious concern requiring concerted efforts by all. The Administration of A&N Islands reiterates the importance of people’s responsibility in war against COVID-19.

The Administration has made elaborate and proactive arrangements for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19.  Regular COVID specific surveillance is being made on a daily basis.  Adequate arrangements of beds at Hospitals, COVID Care Centres and Quarantine Centres have been made in all the Districts. The Administration has arranged adequate stocks of medical equipments and medicines required for the purpose. 228 beds have been made ready in the Hospitals in South Andaman District. Further, in the North and Middle Andaman District, 123 beds have been made ready and 26 beds have been made ready in Nicobar District.

The release further stated that in Port Blair, out of 316 beds ready in COVID Care Centres, 157 beds are occupied and 159 beds are vacant. Further, 470 additional beds are being added at ITI and DBRAIT in a phased manner as per requirement. Further, arrangements of beds are being made at JNRM on need basis.

As per the estimation and trends seen by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, 80% COVID positive cases are asymptomatic and with mild symptoms and are to be isolated at home and may not require to be kept in COVID Care Centre. Therefore, the planned capacity is more than sufficient to accommodate moderate and severe patients who will be only 20 % of total patients.

The   most   effective   measures   in   fight   against   COVID-19   is   the compliance of precautionary and preventive measures by the general public which are being regularly informed and are reiterated. The following must be scrupulously adhered to by the citizens:-

1. Wear face mask in public.
2. Repeated washing of hands with soap (20 seconds) or alcohol based sanitizers.
3. Social distancing of at least 06 feet.
4. Maintain strict protocol of sneezing and coughing.
5. Isolate one self  and   inform   nearest   Health   worker/102   helpline immediately on having ILI/SARI like symptoms.
6. Avoid all unnecessary travel.