John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, May 21: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration today announced complete lockdown in South Andaman district from 24 May 2021 in view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Addressing a press conference at Port Blair the Secretary of Andaman’s Information Publicity and Tourism Department today said that Administration and doctors are putting in best efforts but even though number of COVID-19 cases are not coming down, which should have come down by now.
“Hence Administration has taken a decision to go for a complete lockdown from Monday (24 May), which will be for a shorter period. Modalities and protocols will be decided later on and that will be communicated. We are giving two days time so that people should not rush for things. People should not overstock commodities as the lockdown is not for a very long period,” the Secretary added.
How long the lockdown will be in place that has not been decided yet, he said.
“The number of active cases has gone upto 265 once again. We have no other option left and hence we are going for a complete lockdown,” the Secretary added.
However, the Secretary clarified that the lockdown will be only in South Andaman and there will be no lockdown in Nicobar District or North and Middle Andaman District.
The Secretary IP&T added that today 270 people reached Port Blair in three flights, out of which six people have been tested positive. In Ferrargunj 105 people have been tested out of which seven people have been tested positive.
Regarding vaccination of people during lockdown, the Secretary added the modalities for movement of people for vaccination will be decided later. “The vaccination should not stop during lockdown. The details will be given later,” he added.
As per the last update available, at present altogether there are 261 COVID-19 active cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and since the beginning total 6758 people have been tested COVID-19 positive in this UT out of which 6401 people have recovered.
In first and second waves of COVID-19 altogether 96 deaths have been recorded due to COVID-19 infection in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
About vaccination drive, the Secretary informed that today altogether 380 eligible beneficiaries got vaccinated today which consisted of 99 beneficiaries of age group above 45 year old and 281 beneficiaries of age group above 18-44 year old. From today 18+ vaccination has also begun in Nicobar District, he pointed out.
The Director ANIIMS, Dr. AK Mandal informed that altogether there are 96 COVID-19 patients are in G B Pant Hospital, out of which seven are discharged. 16 new COVID patients were admitted today in G.B. Pant Hospital. 75 are on Oxygen support and 4 are on ventilator.
The Deputy Director G.B. Pant Hospital, Dr. Amitabha De today said that altogether, 10 patients were admitted at COVID Care Centers and 04 patients was discharged and the number of patients in the COVID Care Centers is 54. He further informed that 2 COVID patients were admitted and 3 patients were discharged from Covid Care Centre Wimberlygunj and a total of 07 patients are still admitted in the Centre, he added.
Responding to query regarding registration of COVID-19 vaccination process for those who miss their slot, the Deputy Director said that those who missed their slots for vaccination, they have to book their slot again; the registered slot won’t be available again.
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