Be ready to face the worst: PTF to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 12 2020: With Unlock 4.0 easing people's movement, the number of COVID-19 cases and death toll may severely spike in the few weeks to come, said Peoples' Task Force for COVID-19 and urged the State Government and Health Department to take up all measures and be prepared to effectively face the pandemic.

The total number of COVID-19 cases has crossed 7500 with over 1600 active COVID-19 cases while death toll has reached 45 .

These figures may surge rapidly in the days to come as Unlock 4.0 has eased the restrictions that had slowed the infection rate.

Considering this, the Government and the Health Department should increase manpower and the number of beds and ventilators in the hospitals, it said in a statement today.

The task force stated that according to experts, 80 percent of the COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic while 20 percent are symptomatic.

Of the 20 percent symptomatic, as many as 5 percent require ventilator support while 3 percent may suffer critically needing intensive care.

The hospitals in the State at present lack ventilators and beds for COVID-19 .

In case there is rapid increase in the number of cases now, with not enough ventilators and beds in the hospitals and COVID-19 Care Centres, there would be more casualties due to the virus, said the task force.

Advising the Government to anticipate such a case and take up measures appropriately when there is still time, the task force questioned the reason for the failure of the Government to set up a dedicated COVID-19 hospital till today.

More than 100 COVID-19 positive cases with no travel history are being detected in the State every day.

With the rising number of cases, the probability of community transmission is increasing.

Hospitals including RIMS, JNIMS and all other health centres should have enough beds for COVID-19 cases.

Beds and ventilators at ICU Wards of RIMS and JNIMS should be increased.

The hospitals should have enough staff, doctors and nurses to face the disease effectively, it said.

Meanwhile, the task force in association with Indian Red Cross Society and local clubs organised awareness programme on COVID-19 at Keishampat Thiyam Leikai, Khundrakpam Awang Leikai, Naoremthong Laishram Leirak and Pukhao etc.

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