Public cooperation, lockdown resulted in Covid-19 decline: Baseer Khan

Budgam, Jun 17: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today visited Nagam Chadoora, Budgam to have an interaction with various stake holders regarding assessment of arrangements and status amid 2nd wave of Covid -19 in the district.
He was accompanied by DDC Budgam S.A Mirza , Director Tourism Dr G.N Itoo, Director RDD Tariq Ahmad Zargar.
In this connection, a meeting was convened at Govt Polytechnic College Nagam under the chairmanship of Advisor attended by Deputy DDC Chairman Nazir Ahmad Jahara , President Municipal Committee Chadoora , SDM Chadoora, CMO, ACD, SE Hydraulics besides various deputations from the adjoining areas including representatives of Trade and Transport Unions of Chadoora Nagam and religious heads.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Khan said the aim and objective of today’s visit is to have an interaction with all stake holders who are critical in fighting war against COVID-19 pandemic. He said proactive and aggressive approach initiated by the administration in tandem with the civil society and other social organizations including religious leaders has brought down the incidence of positive cases substantially.
He said support and cooperation from public has proved pivotal in containing 2nd wave of Covid-19 which seemed to be more infectious and dangerous. Being a challenging task for everyone, strong commitment, resilience, effective alertness and dedication demonstrated by administration and all stake holders during this tough period didn’t let the 2nd wave of Covid -19 go out of control.
Commenting upon the availability of resources, the Advisor said, there is no dearth of resources, whether it is oxygen, medical or any other resource. With the active intervention of Prime Minister and Lieutenant Governor, the UT received 9 high quality oxygen plants from Frankfurt Germany when it was the peak of pandemic and in few days further 9 more plants were received in addition to the first consignment. These efforts from the Prime Minister and Lieutenant Governor helped a lot in the nick of time.
Advisor said that Covid care centers set up at Panchayat levels across U.T of J&K is a bold and effective decision to enhance bedding capacities in rural areas which shall play a significant role in stopping spread of Covid-19 pandemic. He also said that COVID-19 in J&K has been systematically dealt with wherever necessary as there was no scarcity of any medical equipment and other resources. The Advisor further said for the convenience of patients as well as public, specialist doctors remain available 24/7 to attend tele-consultations and tele-medication. This initiative has shown enormous results as large section of society as well as patients get benefited through this initiative.
Regarding the vaccination status the Advisor said, that the efforts are being put in place to get the most of people vaccinated. Vaccines have proved a golden bullet to defeat Covid-19 infection. The vaccinated person gets improved immunity against Covid 19 and there is less severity of this deadly disease if at all they become positive.
On the issue of relaxation in curbs raised by some individuals present, the Advisor reiterated that the decision on relaxations is taken after thorough assessment of Covid -19 situation. He said keeping present scenario in view it’s likely that in coming days condition will improve more. He laid emphasis on discarding rumours and advised not to pay heed to rumour mongers.
The Advisor on the occasion directed District Administration to remain in state of alert to meet any challenges amid any Covid-19 Pandemic. He urged people to enthusiastically go for vaccination. The Advisor on the occasion hailed cooperation and support of general public, particularly during current wave and urged upon the Religious heads, Civil society to use their influence and approach in spreading the message about the importance of SOPs.
The Advisor directed the officers that the Rural Development works and Agriculture related works are carried out after maintaining proper Covid behaviour and strict adherence to Covid containment SOP’s so that a sustained income is ensured to the labourers.
The Advisor on the occasion also had an interaction with some deputations and individuals who put forth list of demands and grievances relating to many basic issues of their respective areas .He assured them that all genuine demands/Grievances shall be addressed under rules.
Earlier DC Budgam Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza presented a detailed status of till date happenings amid Covid-19 pandemic, containment measures, procedures and other initiatives taken up by district administration in curbing the spread of this pandemic. He said till date Budgam has reported 13776 positive cases of these 12676 have recovered. The Deputy Commissioner informed the Advisor that the recovery ratio stands at 95.4%.
Regarding the causality scenario DC said there has been no death due to Covid -19 since last five days , the death ratio has gone down to 0.5% . Aggressive testing is still going on particularly in containment areas as there are 120 containment zones in the district. Regarding vaccination status DC briefed that about 79% population of the age group of 45 and above have been vaccinated, similarly in the age group of 18-44, 44% target has been achieved.