Governor seeks help of PGIMER, Chandigarh in combating COVID-19

Governor Bandaru Dattatraya today held video conferencing with the Director of PGIMER, Chandigarh Dr. Jagat Ram to discuss about the COVID-19 situation in Himachal Pradesh and sought suggestions regarding containing the spread of this pandemic in the state.

The Governor said that Himachal Pradesh has been following all the guidelines issued by the Government of India to check the spread of coronavirus and the parameters of Himachal Pradesh were far better than other states according to the guidelines issued by the Centre as the corona spread rate is less than five percent in the state.

He said that the COVID-19 testing and tracing rate of the State was better than other States and so far 1,27,555 persons have been tested for coronavirus out of which 1,24,568 have been found negative. He said that 1145 persons have been cured out of positive and only 11 deaths have been reported so far.

The Governor appreciated the efforts and arrangements made by the PGIMER, Chandigarh in fighting the COVID-19. He said that it was appreciable that the doctors and paramedical staff and said that they were doing commendable job in treating the patients by outing their life in danger. He expressed happiness that the hospital has so far conducted over 15,000 tests for COVID-19, special labs have been established and plasma therapy has been started to treat the patients.

Bandaru Dattatraya said that tracing, testing and treatment were vital for curtailing this epidemic. He asked about the observations of the PGIMER, Chandigarh about Himachal Pradesh in combating this epidemic and said that the supply for medicines required for treatment was less and were also being black marketed which needed to be checked.

He said that keeping in view the rise in COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh, the PGIMER, Chandigarh should send a team of observers to the state to study the COVID Care Centres and hold discussions with the doctors of the state and send a report to the state regarding further improvements.

Dr. Jagat Ram while making the presentation about the initiatives taken by the PGIMER, Chandigarh to fight the coronavirus said that Himachal Pradesh has been doing good work in containing the COVID-19 cases and the recovery rate was also good. He said that the PGIMER has started the facility of plasma and steroid therapy and indigenous machines are being used to ensure that there is less contact with the patients. He assured the Governor that PGIMER, Chandigarh is always ready to help the Himachal government in combating this pandemic.