Be fully prepared for any COVID scenario: CM Siddaramaiah tells officials

With fresh COVID cases being reported in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday directed authorities to be fully prepared to handle any future situation.

He stressed the importance of preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus in the state and directed officials to ensure the availability of medicines, medical equipment and facilities for any potential surge.

Siddaramaiah held a meeting with the Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil and officials, and experts to review the COVID situation.

He also gathered information from the Principal Secretary of the Health Department and the Head of the COVID Task Force, officials said.

“There is no need to worry for now. However, all the necessary facilities and equipment should be kept ready by analysing the situation that may occur, in advance. Even if there is no situation to worry at the moment, keep the necessary things like ventilators, oxygen, medicines etc. ready,” the CM was quoted as saying by his office in a statement.

He advised the elderly, pregnant women, people with heart and lung problems to wear masks as a precautionary measure.

Inter-hospital transfers of pregnant women with health issues should be stopped, and necessary arrangements should be made in all hospitals to treat them, he added.

The CM also stressed the need for close monitoring of COVID-19 situation and said officials should review cases every week or every three days if necessary.

Regarding schools, he urged parents to keep their children with cold, flu, or fever at home. Schools were also instructed to monitor students for such symptoms and send affected children with cold or flu home.

Noting that since January, one or two cases of corona have been reported in the state, and there was a surge in May, Siddaramaiah said, however, there is only one “serious case”.

Inspection of identifying Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases is already underway, he said.

To avoid any inconvenience to the public, the CM asked officials to mandate the availability of basic facilities, including beds and oxygen ventilators in all hospitals.

If situation warrants in future, Siddaramaiah ordered officials to take steps to set up screening units at airports for all arriving passengers.

“There should be no negligent attitude for any reason,” he said, as he instructed that district hospitals in all districts should be fully prepared.

He also asked the health department staff to remain at their respective work centers and avoid taking leave.

Adhering to the guidelines of the central government, the CM advised readiness of vaccines as a disease control precaution against the mutated coronavirus.

Furthermore, he directed officials to disseminate information to the public through social media.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Minister Rao said the current variant is a lineage of Omicron, and no adverse effects have been observed across the country as of now.

“Let’s wait and see before taking any further decision. This is what the Chief Minister has said. We are better prepared as we have dealt with earlier COVID waves. No need to worry but precaution is important.” The CM enquired about the vaccine’s necessity, Rao said. The information from the Centre is that there is no need for it now, and for any decision on vaccine, the central government’s guidelines is required. “The CM asked to monitor and speak to the Centre about what has to be done if the situation calls for vaccination.” Testing will be done for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases compulsorily and there is no need for mass testing now, Rao said. For their safety, news mothers, children with comorbidities and elderly should compulsorily wear masks at crowded places.