COVID – 19 Testing Lab to Open in Mangaluru Soon – Health Minister Sriramulu
Mangaluru: State Health minister Sriramulu visited Mangaluru to review the present COVID – 19 situations in the district and held a meeting at the DC office here on March 17.
Former Health Minister U T Khader briefing on the situation said, “We are only talking about the general public and their safety but have never thought about the safety of the doctors, nurses and staff working in the hospitals. We need to provide them whatever necessary for their safety. The State government has also declared holiday for children, but parents should not misuse the holidays by taking their children out. We should remain indoors to avoid the spread of COVID-19”.
DC Sindhu Roopesh said, “Parents should keep their children at home and avoid attending social gatherings or any other programmes. We need to maintain social distance at this time.”
Addressing the mediapersons Minister Sriramulu said, “The Corona Virus has spread to 150 countries and people are in fear. All over the world, 6700 affected by COVID-19 have died and about 74,000 people have recovered. In India, we have 119 cases and two people have died, 13 people have recovered from the disease. In Karnataka, we have 10 cases out of which 1 has died in Kalburgi. Two new cases have now been reported in Kalburgi. All the cases in Bengaluru and Kalburgi are being monitored. Those coming from the USA and UK are also being closely monitored by keeping them in isolation wards. We have distributed pamphlets through newspapers. Asha workers are also involved in spreading awareness by visiting every house. The government has taken all the necessary measures to control the spread of COVID-19.”
Sriramulu further said, “3 lakh N-95 masks are available with us which is enough for 3 months. We have taken strict action against those selling the masks for a higher price. All measures have been taken for the personal protection of 1.5 lakh people who serve in the hospitals. 6090 screening machines are ready. The state government, as well as the Central government, has taken it as a challenge to stop the spread of the Corona Virus further in the country. People should take care and be safe by “Staying at home”. The government has announced the holidays not to enjoy or go for picnics, it is to ‘stay home to be safe’. Priority is given to Mangaluru since it is near to the Kerala border. We have started thermal screening of the passengers in the airport and have screened 29053 passengers. Isolated wards have been opened in all the hospitals. An isolation ward has also been reserved in the ESI hospital. All measures have been taken to create awareness among people. I will also visit the isolation ward in Wenlock hospital. The people of Mangaluru are intellectuals and are taking care of themselves. We have information about a COVID positive patient from Kasargod who had arrived at the Mangaluru airport. We are trying to trace the person, the places he has visited and the persons he has contacted. The surveillance team of Mangaluru and Kerala has been contacted to find out the person.”
When asked about closing the religious centres in the district, Sriramulu said, “I will discuss this issue with the Chief Minister. We need to quarantine patients flying to Mangaluru in hotels near the airport. We will discuss the issue of closing the religious centres and come to a conclusion soon.”
