Leh, Apr 15: The authorities in the Union Territory of Ladakh Thursday said that with the resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the country amid high intensity of the second wave, there is a steep rise in cases in Ladakh as well while 85 per cent of the 985 active cases in the region are non-UT residents.
District Magistrate Leh Shrikant Balasaheb Suse while addressing a conference said that the main factor for rise in positive cases are the outsiders including the laborers and tourists. “Of the total active positive cases, 85 per cent are the outsiders while the 15 per cent are locals tested on arrival at the airport”, he said.
He said that the capacity of dedicated Covid Care centers facilities have been increased. “We have 700-bed capacities while 450 beds are vacant. We are fully prepared in case there is more spike of positive cases while a sufficient amount medicine has been made available. There are only 5 micro containment zones in the Leh”, the DM said.
He said that squads are active everywhere to keep a vigil on the activities at all the places including the public places to ensure there is no violation of SOP's.
The District Magistrate Leh said that scanning mechanism is available at the airport and the volume of RTPCR tests has been increased to 70 per cent with a result more positive cases have come to the fore while the road scanning has also be ensured. “Manali road which is scheduled to reopen will also have a good amount of scanning for passengers,” he said.
About the availability of oxygen for patients, the DM said that the oxygen is available in a sufficient amount. “The oxygen plant is fully functional at District Hospital and the cylinders will be ensured in case the demand increases”, he assured.
“We have the best performance of vaccination across India with all the health care workers vaccinated and people over the age of 45 years”, he said.
To a query, he said that the passengers are advised to remain at their place of stay unless their results come adding that there are some practical difficulties in transporting them but the administration is dealing with that as well
Asked about the rise in cases and events being organized at the same time, the District Magistrate said that COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure is followed everywhere including the sitting arrangement and there is no violation.
About the marriages and other functions, he said that the administration is examining the situation and to restrict the gathering will be decided given the recent spike.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Leh, Dr. Motup Dorje while speaking on the occasion said that there are nine COVID-19 positive patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at SNM hospital of which seven are locals and two are non-locals and all are stable.
He that the most of the positive cases these days are Asymptomatic.
