ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

UT HAS THE LOWEST NUMBER OF CASES: We have almost achieved the plateau but we don’t see a drop in COVID-19 cases: Secretary IP&T

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John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, May 18: The Secretary Information and Publicity and Tourism Department, Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh today said that because of the dedicated steps taken by Andaman and Nicobar Administration, this UT has the lowest number of cases.
Addressing a COVID-19 media briefing held in the conference hall of IP&T today the secretary, IP&T said that the availability of per capita doctors in these islands is best in the country, in A&N islands the average of 1152 patients is per doctor which is far good when compared to national level. Similarly the availability of beds which we have is best in the country so far as we have 3.22 beds per thousand populations we have in the islands.
Meanwhile the availability of Covid patient’s beds is 6376 in which the total beds which has oxygen supply facility is 68.83 % where as the country’s availability is only 18%. He further informed that we have sufficient numbers of oxygen concentrators and cylinders; we have 40 ventilators considering the number of cases it is sufficient, the secretary informed.
About vaccination drive he informed that the Administration has almost covered 99 % of eligible beneficiaries with first dose of vaccine for age group above 45 in the islands, thus administration is doing their best because of which we have the lowest number of cases in the country, and our positivity rate is just 1.75%. Administration has given everything and it is now on the doctors, who are even working very hard and serving in the Islands.
So far the numbers of positive cases are concerned, it is in control to great extend and in achieving that we have cooperation from all the sectors including medical fertility, administration, police, press and public, but there’s lot more to be done because we have almost achieve the plateau but we don’t see a drop, the Secretary added.
He pointed out that there is no positive cases in Nicobar Districts but administration is taking all possible steps to creating infrastructure so that in case of any need these infrastructure can fulfill the desired needs. Today tribal council of car nicobar has donated 30 handmade beds to strengthen fight against COVID-19, Mr. SK Singh pointed out.
He further said that 75 persons (travelers) bound for N&M Andaman was also tested at Ferrargunj out of which 03 were found COVID-19 positive.
Later the Director, ANIMS, Dr. AK Mandal informed that we have appointed all the doctors at GB Pant Hospital which are nearly 100 has been divided into groups for 6 Covid ward, in each ward 3 doctors will be there at 3 different shifts in a day. We have also formed a committee of Doctors to monitor oxygen issued to patients and audit the oxygen supply.
He also informed that yet we don’t have any cases of black fungal infections but we have ordered medicine for fungal infection so that administration is prepared for future.
Later the Nodal Officer, COVID, Dr. Avijit Roy said that registration for vaccination drive for 18-44 age group has been started in the islands from today.

 

Andaman to start vaccination for 18 -44 years category Islanders from Today, only 300 doses per day

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Vikramaditya
Port Blair, May 18: Andaman and Nicobar Islands to start vaccination for 18-44 years age group category of people in Port Blair city from tomorrow (19, May 2021).
The UT Administration has received 9070 doses of vaccine for 18+ age group, out of the 3,60,000 vaccines for which order has been placed, the Nodal Officer, COVID, Dr. Avijit Roy said this evening during the press conference.
The online registration for the vaccination for 18+ through Co-WIN portal opened from 9.30 am onwards today and 300 slots were booked in just nine minutes.
“As soon as a beneficiary gets the date of vaccine, the vaccine will be administered to them from May 19 at JNRM Vaccination centre. Those 18+ who have registered through online will be vaccinated as first registration first serve basis. Online registration will be compulsory and no onsite registration will be entertained,” Dr. Roy added.
“Today 10,112 doses have been allotted for Andaman and Nicobar Islands by government of India for which we are preparing purchase orders. By tomorrow orders will be placed. We will continue vaccinating more people as we receive more supplies of vaccines. We are targeting 1,60,000 people in this age group,” Dr. Roy added.
As per the last update available, at present altogether there are 223 COVID-19 active cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and since the beginning total 6674 people have been tested COVID-19 positive in this UT out of which 6359 people have recovered.
In first and second waves of COVID-19 altogether 92 deaths have been recorded due to COVID-19 infection in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

Member of Parliament visits Corona Wards, Interacts with COVID-19 patients

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Port Blair, May 17: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament, A&N Islands paid a surprise visit to GB Pant Hospital on 16.05.2021 (Sunday) night at 10 PM to know about the ground realities and the issue of patients and Para Medial Staffs, in COVID wards.
He visited all the six Corona wards and interacted with the each and every patient there. All the Corona patients were very happy with the treatment being provided to them for which he appreciated the entire Para Medical staff attached with the corona wards for taking well care of the patients.
He also appreciated the Administration for providing all logistic support and life saving medicines for the corona patients. However, during his visit, the Member of Parliament observed that there is shortage of Doctors, Nurses, Ward Boy and Safai Karmachries in Corana wards and accordingly he immediately requested the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration to provide three Doctors, four Nurses, four Ward Boys and two sanitation workers in every shift in all the Corona wards for smooth functioning.
He also requested the Chief Secretary to provide pedestal fans in the corona wards since patients are feelings very hot inside of the Corona wards during treatment.

2nd dose of COVISHIELD to be administrated in Islands between 12-16 weeks from 1st dose

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Port Blair, May 17: Second dose of vaccination (COVISHIELD) has been delayed in Andaman from existing 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks i.e. 84 to 112 days from the first dose.
This has been done consequent to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, GoI., an circular issued by Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (health)/nodal officer (COVID-19) informed.

Sufficient quantity of medical supplies available in N & M Andaman: DC

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Trinath & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, May 16: Dr. Angel Bhati Chauhan, the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman District today said that the North and Middle Andaman District is having sufficient quantity of Oxygen cylinders, oximeters, oxygen concentrators and all life-saving medicines in all CHCs and PHCs and there is absolutely no reason to panic.
Talking to media, she further pointed out that everyday she is taking stock updates from all the CMOs of NMA District.
The DC further said that the rumour about non-availability of oxygen concentrators or oximeters is totally false. The Deputy Commissioner also lauded efforts of CMO, Diglipur, Dr. Siddha Raju for his supervision, because of which a patient with lung infections, is now recovering.
The Deputy Commissioner cautioned people against sharing misleading and fake information in social media.

Prompt Action of District Administration in providing Mobile Ration Vans

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Venkat
Port Blair, May 16: Mr. M P Abdul Rasheed took up the issues faced by the residents of Haddo/Lillypur area (declared as containment zone) before the District Administration.

Swinging into quick and prompt action, Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Mr. Hari Kallikkat, SDM and Mr. Abdul Siddique, Secretary, CCS had a brief meeting with the Department of Civil Supply to workout detail plan and coming into a solution provided mobile ration vans to ensure that public distribution system beneficiaries living inside the Containment zones do not face shortage of dry ration.

The move was assisted by Mr. Rasheed alongwith his volunteers, they provided the ration articles at the doorsteps of PDS beneficiaries. The residents of the area had all praises for the Officers & staffs of A&N Administration and also towards Ration Rasheed.

Hard to Believe But True: According to Administration 5886 eligible Islanders in the age group of 45+ not taken 1st dose of vaccine yet

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Port Blair, May 03: While there are many in age group 18 to 44, who are waiting badly for their first dose of vaccines but are not getting a date for vaccination, according to Administration there are 5886 people in Andaman of age group 45+, who have not taken their first dose of vaccine even after repeated appeal made by Administration.

It is to mention that in A&N Islands, there are a total of 1,01,603 beneficiaries in the age group of 45 and above. Out of this, 95,717 persons have been vaccinated with 1st dose of COVISHEILD so far. It indicates that still 5886 persons in this age group are yet to be vaccinated in the Islands and the Administration appeals to them to get their 1st and subsequently 2nd dose of vaccine as early as possible to protect themselves, their family and community. These 5886 persons want to put the life of others, their families and who have not got the vaccination at high risk. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an anti body (immune system).

The Deputy Commissioner and Officers of District Administration are going door to door not only in city areas but also in remote areas and motivating people to get vaccinated. They reached out to remote area like Rutland and other places in southern group of Islands and conducted camps to vaccinate eligible people by boat, ship, helicopters etc.

Be responsible, protect your family. We appeal to the media to create greater awareness about vaccination and its benefits. Friends can also play a catalytic role in ensuring safety in society by encouraging fellow friends to get vaccinated. Inform the Administration through helpline numbers 9474287574/ 1077 about the persons who have not taken vaccination till now. Meanwhile, the total number of active cases in the second wave in the Islands has touched 217 as on May 2, 2021 while single day surge in active cases in the last 24 hours has been 38. Yesterday (May 1) the total number of single day surge in active cases was 97 which was an all time high during this second wave.

The vaccine is a shield against corona virus and people who have not taken should take the vaccine immediately and join in the fight against the novel corona virus. The doses for administering the 1st and 2nd dose of vaccine is available with the Health Department and people in the age group of 45+ must take both the doses without any hesitation. Get vaccinated and help the Administration in protecting you people from the deadly virus, a press release from A&N Administration said.

Dry Run for COVID-19 Vaccine Conducted in North and Middle Andaman

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Trinath & Gracy Tripathy
Port Blair, Jan 08: Together with 736 Districts of entire India, Dry Run for Covid-19 vaccine procedure was conducted today in North and Middle Andaman District.
The Deputy Commissioner North and Middle Andaman, Dr. Angel Bhati Chauhan informed media that today the District Administration conducted this dry run to understand that when real vaccine will be sent, how it will be administered.
For this dry run, logistic arrangements are being set up at different CHCs and RP Hospital.
She further added that in this dry run, arrangements of waiting area to vaccination area and also observation area was checked.
Arrangements have also been made to make sure that if any reaction is reported due to the vaccine, then how a patient will be given immediate relief.
“Equipments needed for emergency including profile accessing kits and other health related kits are available in adequate quantity,” added the DC. She said that, the people have high hopes from the vaccine and are looking forward to returning back to their normal lives.

Lipid Profile Test Machine Goes Out of Order at G B Pant; DHS assures early repair

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Gracy Tripathy
Port Blair, Nov 26: The lipid profile test, which is a combination of tests conducted together to check for any risks of coronary heart disease is at present not carried out at G B Pant Hospital, even if Doctors of the same hospitals are advising for the test.
According to patients, they are being told by hospital staffs that the machine for conducting Lipid Profile Test is out of order since atleast last two weeks.
“I have been asked by Doctor to bring Lipid Profile Test report but lab staffs are telling us that the machine is out of order. Now I can’t even meet Doctor without this report to consult about my heart problem,” a patient told Andaman Sheekha who have been struggling since last 15 days to get this test done at G B Pant Hospital.
When Andaman Sheekha spoke with Dr Omkar Singh, the Director of Health Services, he said that, there is a big difference in repairing an equipment at mainland India and at Andaman Islands as a fact that distance matters and moreover the present pandemic situation also plays a role in the lack of maintenance of the equipments”.
He further mentioned that lipid profile test is done according to the instructions given by the doctor but it’s a matter of fact that now a days, public themselves come and demand that they need the test to be done.
“Lipid Profile Test is a necessary test but not a life saving test. This test is necessary for secondary prevention but it is not that one can’t treat without conducting this test”. However, Dr. Singh assured that the machine will be repaired very soon.

Shocker from Little Andaman; 23 Cases reported in One day; 16 from one Family

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John Wilbert & Gracy Tripathy
Port Blair, September 25: In a major shocker, as many as 23 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported from Little Andaman today, taking the total number of COVID-19 case in Little Andaman to 39.
As per details out of 23 new Corona cases, 18 people were tested positive from R K Pur village of Little Andaman, where 16 cases among these 18, were from one single family.
In Hut Bay region four cases were reported from Farm Tikrey area and one case from 4KM area.
Out of these 23 new cases, the eighteen positive patients have been shifted to the R.K Pur Community Hall COVID Care Center and rest five Corona patients have been isolated in ALHW guest house COVID Care Center.
Meanwhile, the District Administration has now swung into action after this recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Little Andaman and a number of steps have already been taken to contain the spread.
Sources in Little Andaman told Andaman Sheekha that lack of regular and proper testing might have resulted in this present spike in Corona cases. “If more tests are conducted, more COVID-19 patients will be found in Little Andaman,” said a source at Little Andaman. As a precautionary measure all shops of R K Pur has been closed by the local Administration.
It is learnt that today all shopkeepers of R K Pur area have been called in Hut Bay PHC for COVID-19 tests.
It is also learnt that all ships and helicopters between Port Blair to Hut Bay have been withdrawn for few weeks.
Residents of Little Andaman are now demanding proper watch inside and outside containment areas of Little Andaman and people can allegedly be seen going out of containment zone on regular basis.