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John Wilbert & Sarthak Kanjilall

Port Blair, Mar 05: Don’t believe in rumors getting circulated in WhatsApp and other social media platforms about COVID- 19, appealed the Director, Health Services, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Dr. Omkar Singh to all the Islanders today.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha today, Dr. Omkar Singh urged the residents of the Islands that there is no need for panic and the Health Department is fully prepared to handle this situation.
“If at all one wants to believe anything related to COVID- 19, then kindly believe the information published in the World Health Organization’s website or the information available on the website of the Ministry of Health,” Dr. Omkar said.
Dr. Omkar further said that as of now no case of COVID- 19 has been confirmed in the Islands, “We are keeping a close watch on the situation and hence, there is no need to fear about anything,” Dr. Omkar added.
Dr. Omkar further said that till now the information received about COVID- 19, the colonization of the virus takes place in the lungs, hence, we suggest everybody to wash their hands frequently and wear a mask, so that it doesn’t spread from the infected body.
“COVID- 19 is not dangerous than Ebola virus, the mortality rate is too low at around 2-3%,” Dr. Omkar said.
The Director of Health Services also informed the Islanders that looking at the frequency in which the disease is spreading, yesterday, an advisory has also been issued to check all the people entering in these Islands from the mainland.
Dr. Omkar also said that suppose the number of cases arises, the department will accordingly upgrade itself to fight against the virus.
“At every stage, the government is committed to stop this virus, we are trying our best that it doesn’t enter our Islands,” Dr. Omkar added.
Finally, Dr. Omkar said that because of the Andaman and Nicobar Health Department’s preparation till date no case of COVID-19 has been reported from these Islands.

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John Wilbert & Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Mar 05: After giving nightmares to Dialysis patients twice in the last one week, the Health Department has now finally said that the faults in RO Plant, connected to the Dialysis unit,has been rectified permanently.

On 2nd March 2020, patients of Dialysis complained that they were suddenly called and informed by DHS workers that the Dialysis unit has developed some problems and for nearly one week no Dialysis will be done.

Similarly, nearly one week back also, some Dialysis patients were made to wait for nearly three hours but later both the faults were rectified temporarily by the DHS, considering the gravity of the situation.

Now the Directorate of Health Services has claimed that they have permanently fixed the problems connected to the RO plant attached to the Dialysis unit.

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Port Blair, March 05: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament has requested the Lt Governor to consider strict vigil with proper equipments at Airport and other Ports to detect infected persons with Novel Corona Virus.
The Member of Parliament has stated that as per reports, cases of Novel Corona Virus which started from China have been detected in Delhi, Telengana, UP and Rajasthan and other parts of India and hence taking concern of the lives and safety of the Islanders, he wanted strict precautionary measures be taken so that the islanders be safe from this dangerous virus.
MP has further stated that these Islands are surrounded by sea and also scattered, hence extra preventive measures need to be taken to safeguard the lives of the inhabitants of these Islands and as a measure of preventive care, requested the Lt. Governor to earmark a few rooms in GB Pant Hospital for such suspected patients, if found.

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Port Blair, Mar. 04: The Chief Secretary A&N Administration, Mr. Chetan B. Sanghi convened a meeting of the State Level Advisory Committee in the conference hall of the Secretariat today to review the status of preparedness for Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) in A&N Islands. The meeting was also attended by Mr. K R Meena, Principal Secretary (Health), Mr. Dependra Pathak, DGP A&N Islands, Smti Kriti Garg, Secretary (Health), Mr. Girish Arora, President ACCI and other members of the committee.
During the meeting discussion was held on various measures to be taken to prevent importation of the Corona virus in A&N Islands. Also, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned to augment the intensive IEC activities in these Islands for threat perception through various media. It was directed to ensure mandatory declaration by travelers who have history of traveling in 14 countries notified by GoI. If need be, the declaration should also be taken from all passengers coming to Andaman & Nicobar Islands through flights and ships.
The Chief Secretary has further appealed to the general public to avoid fake news and not to create panic and clear all the doubts by calling the call center or visiting the nearest health institution and obtain support of the Health Authorities in airport and port.
Earlier, the Chief Secretary was appraised of the background of the disease and the steps being taken by A&N Administration to prevent the infection of virus by Dr. Avijit Roy, Nodal Officer (COVID-19). He was further appraised about the home isolation undertaken by Health Department of the persons having history of travel to China after 15.01.2020 and other Countries put under restrictions.
In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 170 persons were/are under home observation. Among them 04 are tourists who migrated out and 02 Indian students completed their 14 days Home Isolation and have no symptoms, hence, released from observation. It was informed that presently 160 defense personnel who have the history of travelling from Thailand (Phuket) are under observation. The Defense Medical Team is keeping observation on them. One defense person has developed symptoms of cold, body pain and fever and he was kept under Hospital Observation in Defense Hospital. The Patient got tested from KIMS Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Chennai and tested negative. The patient is now stable and has been discharged from the Hospital and is now under observation at home. One Indian student with history of travelling back from Italy and 02 Italian Nationals are under observation and all are in good health and have no symptoms till date. 02 Samples have been sent for testing, out of which results of all the samples came as negative.

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Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Feb 28: The Health Services of Andaman and Nicobar Administration has detained 161 people, who have recently visited countries with Corona Virus threat as a precautionary measures. However till now no confirm case of Corona Virus has been reported from Andaman.
According to reports Andaman Health Department has detained 160 defence personnel, who had recently visited Thailand for some drill in a Naval Vessel and one resident of Bangalore who arrived today at Port Blair airport and has history of visiting South Korea.
Taking to Andaman Sheekha, the Dr. Abhijit Roy, Deputy Director Heath and Nodal Officer, COVID 19 in Andaman said that out of 160 defence personnel have been detained in their ship, which is on sailing now and 59 personnel have been detained in their home and barrack.
“The unit doctor of these Defence personnel have been checking them on daily basis and reporting us. The ship is on sailing but we have asked them to remain inside 20 KM area of Port Blair and in case anyone develops symptoms, he should be evacuated immediately without touching the port. One person had developed some symptoms after which we had taken samples from two individuals but reports came negative,” Dr. Roy said.
Regarding rumours of COVID 19 spread in Andaman, Dr. Roy urged public not to panic.
“There is nothing to get panic about corona virus in Andaman. We have detained one person at port Blair from Bangalore today who had a visit to South Korea. He is asymptomatic and no history suggestive of any contact of corona virus. The person been quarantined as per the protocol and not as a suspected case of corona virus. I appeal to all not to spread rumors and avoid such messages on social media,” Dr. Roy added.