Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel held a high-level meeting in the presence of Health Minister Shri Rushikesh Patel and conducted a comprehensive review of the possible new variant of Corona virus in the state and the preparedness of the health system for it.
Before this meeting Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya held a video conference with the health ministers of the state to get an overview of the state of the entire country and also heard to the suggestions of the health ministers.
Giving detailed information about these two meetings Health Minister Shri Rushikesh said that, The health system in Gujarat is ready to combat with a possible corona wave. Now that the situation in the state is under complete control, one needs to be cautious and not afraid. Currently, only 33 percent of the citizens in the state have taken precautionary dose for Corona.Therefore a special drive will be conducted in the areas including the metropolis to increase it to 100 percent.
The Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has overcome from the outbreak of Corona. Taking both doses of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines which has significantly increased immunity among the people of the nation.
The minister further said that, A mock drill will be conducted in all hospitals on December 27th to test the capacity of the hospital, availability of oxygen facilities and beds and preparations to attend patients. Thereafter a compiled information after mock drill will be uploaded on COWIN INDIA PORTAL.
Health Minister Shri Patel said, 100 percent thermal screening will be done for foreign tourists at Ahmedabad and Surat International Airports in Gujarat. In addition to it as per the guidelines of the Central Government, 100% random checks will be done at the airport also arrangements will be done for voluntary RTPCR will also be carried out in such a way that it does not consume the time of the travelers.
Minister Shri Patel further added saying that According to the experts, the rate of infection of BF.7, there is a possibility that 1 person can infect 16 other people. But the mortality rate for it varies from country to country and continent to continent.
So far, a total of 4 cases of this variant have been reported in India, out of which a total of three cases were reported in Gujarat during the months of July, September and November-2022 which included two men and one woman. All of them have recovered through home isolation without being admitted to hospital.
At present, only five cases of corona are reported daily in the state. Also 10,000 tests are done daily in Gujarat, if required the capacity will be increased.
The Health Minister appealed to the people of Gujarat and said that Those who have taken two doses of corona vaccine and a precautionary dose do not need to be afraid of this new variant of corona, but it is necessary to take necessary precautions. All necessary guidelines regarding Corona will be announced in the state from time to time. Not only this, the time to time guidelines of the central government will also be properly followed. Health Minister Shri Patel requested the people to wear masks and maintain social distancing in public to avoid Corona.
In this press conference, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department Shri Manoj Aggarwal and Dr. Atul Patel gave the necessary details regarding Corona.