KARGIL, JULY 23, 2021: In order to assess the present situation of COVID-19 in District Kargil, Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan convened a review meeting here today.

Deputy Commissioner and CEO, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kargil Tsering Motup, Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Abdul Gaffar Zargar, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kargil Dr Munawar Hussain Wazir , representatives from various religious institutions and political organizations besides other concerned officers attended the meeting.

Detailed discussions and deliberations were held in the meeting with the representatives of various religious and political heads regarding the opening of schools and religious places for devotees.

CEC Feroz Khan after giving a patient hearing to all discussions and deliberations said that keeping in view the coming board exams, schools for 10th, 11th and 12th classes will be opened from the next week with appropriate implementation of COVID-19 SOPs, and necessary guidelines in this regard will be framed accordingly during the coming days.

The CEC also said that for the lower classes, community classes will continue as usual till the situation improves further, adding he said that the religious places will also be opened for devotes with limited gatherings. He urged members of the religious institutions to ensure proper implementation of the SOPs like social distancing, wearing of masks and hand sanitizers and also appealed them to make people more aware about the importance of getting vaccinated.

Taking serious note of the complaints of overcharging of fares by some van and bus drivers, the CEC instructed the SHO Kargil to check such ill practices and take strict legal action against the defaulters.

Deputy Commissioner Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve while hailing the support extended by the religious and political heads to spread awareness among general public about COVID-19 said that for the likely Covid 3rd wave which has been suggested by the experts of medical field, necessary arrangements from the administration have already been placed. He further said that collective efforts of the Administration, local representatives and religious heads play a vital role to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

Earlier, CMO Kargil gave a detailed presentation about the current status of COVID- 19 situation in the district. He informed the meeting that around 143894 samples have been collected so far out of which around 3151 samples emerged positive, no of cured persons so far is 3476, number of total death 58 and there are presently 17 active cases.

While apprising the CEC about the vaccination status in the district the CMO Kargil said that in case of the persons above 60 years of age 100% vaccination of first dose has been achieved and 98% vaccination has been completed in case of the second dose. He further said that between to 45 to 59 age category with comorbidity 100% 1st dose and 54% 2nd dose has been achieved, between the age from 45 to 59 years 100% 1st dose and 87% 2nd dose has been achieved while in the age group from 18 to 44 years 100% 1st dose and 14% 2nd dose has been completed.

Regarding the preparedness of 3rd wave which may affect the children most as suggested by various experts, CMO Kargil apprised the meeting that Health Department Kargil is fully equipped to tackle the incoming 3rd wave and in this regard installation of 10 Adult ICU beds has been completed and establishment of 70 oxygenated beds is at the completion stage, adding the order for 500 LPM additional oxygen plants has already been placed, and within the one month it will completed with the electric backup generator.

Meanwhile, the representatives of the religious and political organizations while assuring the CEC of all out support and cooperation in proper implementation of COVID-19 SOPs appreciated the efforts of the LAHDC, District Administration, all frontline workers including the doctors and paramedical staff, police personnel, sanitation workers, Ashas and Anganwadi Workers, revenue staff and other stakeholders in containing the second Covid wave in an effective and professional manner.