Covid cases up in Punjab; Health Minister advises people to wear mask at public places
PTC Web Desk: Amid uptick in Covid-19 cases in Punjab, Health Minister Balbir Singh on Wednesday said the government was prepared to deal with any situation arising out of a rise in the cases. At the same time, he advised people to wear face mask at public places.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh also reviewed medical infrastructure arrangements at Covid Isolated ward of Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala on Wednesday. He claimed that the state government was well-prepared with requisite bed capacity and ventilators in hospitals, besides having adequate arrangements of PPE kits, masks and testing kits to deal with further spread of the virus.
He claimed that they had sufficient doctors and medical staff. All oxygen plants and emergency systems were active in all government hospitals across Punjab, said the minister.
The Punjab Health Minister said although the situation was under control and people need not to panic, it was the need of hour to strictly adhere to health and safety protocols, including social distancing, proper wearing of masks and washing hands frequently to contain Covid 19.
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“People, especially those who are immunocompromised or having Covid symptoms such as cold or cough, should take extra care of themselves and avoid going outside until there is an urgency,” he said, further advising them to wear face mask whenever they leave their homes.
He said that as per the directions of the Union Government, the Punjab Health Department would conduct a mock drill on April 10 and 11 in the state to check Covid preparedness.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister also appealed to people to not get swayed away by rumours. "Currently, there is no Covid patient in ICU or on ventilator support in the state," he said, adding that situation was under control.
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Notably, Punjab on Tuesday reported 73 fresh cases of Covid with the highest (22) in Mohali, followed by 14 in Jalandhar and 11 in Ludhiana.
- With inputs from our correspondent
