The State has seen an unprecedented surge in the number of COVID cases in
the past couple of months. The active cases have steadily increased from 218 (23rd Feb, 2021) to around 18,000 in a very short span of time. The surge being observed in the second wave is much higher and steeper than the case progression in the first
wave.
In the first wave, the effective preventive measures available against the COVID
disease were primarily social distancing, hand hygiene and use of mask, however, in the second wave there is an added weapon against COVID i.e. vaccination. Till date 14.77 lac people have been administered COVID vaccination in the State out of which 2.37 lac have been administered the second dose as well.
The Government Spokesperson further stated that these days number of COVID
positive cases are increasing in the State. Most of these are asymptomatic or are mildly symptomatic. These cases are recommended to be kept under Home Isolation.
Regarding this, revised guidelines have been issued by the Government of India. All the lab positive cases which do not have any symptoms and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94% are clinically asymptomatic cases and all the lab +ve cases which are having fever or upper respiratory tract symptoms without any shortness of breath and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94% are clinically assigned as mild cases. In case the patient is clinically assigned at mild/asymptomatic case by the treating Medical Officer, such cases should get isolate him/herself at their residence.
COVID positive patient must isolate him/herself from other household members,stay in the identified, well ventilated room and away from other people in home,especially elderly and those with co-morbid conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular
disease, renal disease etc. The patient should at all times use triple layer medical mask,discard the mask after 8 hours of use. Patient must take healthy diet, rest and drink lot of fluids to maintain adequate hydration. A caregiver must be available to provide care 24×7 basis, should wear a triple layer medical mask and should avoid touching own face, nose or mouth. Hand hygiene, using soap and water for hand washing at least for 40 seconds or alcohol based hand rub can be used and must be ensured following
contact with ill person or his/her immediate environment.
Avoid direct contact with body
fluids of the patient, particularly oral or respiratory secretions. Use disposable gloves while handling the patient. Food must be provided to the patient in his/her room.
Utensils and dishes used by the patients should be cleaned with soap/detergent and gloves, so that the same could be reused. Patient must be in communication with a treating physician and promptly report in case of deterioration. Patient/care giver will keep monitoring their health. Immediate medical attention must be sought if serious signs or symptoms develop, like difficulty in breathing, dip in oxygen saturation Vaccinationn room air), persistent pain/pressure in the chest and/or mental confusion
or inability to arouse. Patient under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 10 days have passed from onset of symptoms (or from date of sampling for asymptomatic cases) and no fever for 3 days. There is no need for testing after the home isolation period is over.
Regarding medicines in home isolation, it has been categorically advised NOT to attempt procurement or administration of remdisivir at home. There is limited role of oral steroids too; However, inhalational Budesonide can
be added if symptoms do not resolve after 5 days.
The spokesperson further added that the State Government is taking every
possible steps to contain the spread of COVID by imposing restrictions. Further the various District Administrations have also imposed additional restrictions in various districts keeping in view the local factors.
The general public is being requested to avoid unnecessary visits to market places/crowded places, if it is very urgent then they may visit the above mentioned places by following guidelines issued by State Government from time to time and COVID appropriate behavior may be ensured. Its also urged that
the person should get tested for COVID, if symptoms persists and get them isolated
until the test reports are available.
It was also informed that the State Surveillance Officer Dr Rajesh Thakur and the State Immunisation Officer Dr. Hiten Banyal, re-sensitized the ‘1100’ Mukhya Mantri Sewa Sankalp helpline staff regarding the queries being received on the helpline
yesterday on 29th April 2021.
Regarding vaccination, the spokesperson informed that the registration for 18 to
45 years of age has been started on the COWIN portal and service can be availed on the Arogya Setu App from 28th April onwards. All individuals who are eligible can register themselves for vaccination on this portal. The numbers of estimated persons in the State of Himachal Pradesh who are eligible for vaccination under this category are around 31 Lakhs. To vaccinate these persons free of costs through Government COVID
vaccination centres, the State has already placed an order of 73 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be procured from Serum Institute of India in a phased manner over the next 3-4 months. However, it has been communicated from the manufacturer that the
supplies shall commence after 3-4 weeks, subsequent to which the third phase of
vaccination shall be started in the State in Government CVCs.
In response to specific media queries, it was informed by the spokesperson that
the vaccination for the age group 18-44 shall not start in the State till the supplies of the vaccines as per the order placed by the State is not received, which as per the
manufacturer shall take around 3-4 weeks. However, if the private hospitals have vaccine supply, they shall be able to start vaccination for this age group as per the price and vaccine type declared by them on COWIN portal. In response to queries like the number of registered individuals in HP of the 18-44 years of age, it was informed that
the region or state wise breakup cannot be generated on the portal.
There were some reports in the media that the vaccination of the Health Care
workers, Front Line Workers and people aged more than 45 years of age shall also
suffer from 1st May. It was clarified that there will be no issue in providing the first and second dose of these categories of persons. In fact the persons who are due for a second dose and have taken the first does 4-8 weeks back should come forward to take the second dose so that effective immunity against the virus is built. The State has at present stock of 2.08 lakh doses for these categories and another 1.5 lakhs is being received today as well. It was appealed that 18-44 years of age should get themselves register on the portal but should visit the Government COVID Vaccination Centres only when they have scheduled appointment on the COWIN portal.
The information regarding the receipt of vaccine for them shall be updated regularly through media. They can also check the status of scheduling on the COWIN Application and should visit a Government COVID Vaccination Centre only after scheduling themselves to avoid any kind of inconvenience and hardship.
