ITANAGAR, 5 May: All the stakeholders in the Itanagar Capital Region in a consultative meeting decided to extend their cooperation with whatever decision the government takes to control the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in its second wave.
The decision was taken in a consultative meeting convened by the District Disaster Management Authority here on Wednesday to discuss necessary measures to contain the second wave of Covid-19 and the ‘preparedness for any eventuality
in case of a lockdown.’
Attending the meeting, MLA Techi Kaso said “We should try to avoid lockdown and focus on adherence to all the SoPs and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.”
Citing that the entire population of the state is around 15 lakhs, the MLA said that vaccination should be prioritised at this stage and the government should make necessary efforts to make vaccines available for all.
IMC Mayor Tame Phassang assured cooperation of the associations formed under Hamara Arunachal Abhiyan in every decision of the government.
Phassang, however, said that the state government should also seek opinions of the local MLA and mayor before taking any decision regarding lockdown.
He also gave emphasis on health facilities for Covid-19 patients and asked the DMO to update on the availability of oxygen, beds, ICUs etc in Covid-19 care hospitals.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner in-charge Talo Potom asked all the departments concerned to update on the availability of food and LPG stock, etc.
“It is necessary to check our preparedness level prior to taking any decision so that the denizens don’t suffer,” Potom said, adding that all the stakeholders should be prepared to face the second wave of Covid-19 in a better way.
The ICR SP informed that the night curfew is being implemented in letter and spirit. He said intensive mask checking drives are being carried out and an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh has been realized as fine to date.
He, however, sought public cooperation and requested the denizens to wear masks and to follow Covid SOPs.
Earlier, the DMO presented a cumulative Covid-19 report of ICR from 1 to 4 May.
According to the DMO, the total number of persons tested to date is 13,969, out of which 784 tested positive, which amounts to a 6 percent positivity rate.
Total tests carried out at Banderdewa check gate is 5,941, out of which 81 tested positive, which amounts to a 1.3 percent positivity rate, the DMO informed.
He further informed that the positivity rate in ICR, excluding Banderdewa check gate, in the last one week, was 8.1 percent, which increased to 9.3 percent in the last three days.
Also highlighting the percentage of occupancy, he said bed occupancy at DCH currently stands at 57.1 percent, CCC Lekhi 13.3 percent and DCHC 50 percent.
Citing the suffering of the business community during a lockdown, ACC&I secretary-general Toko Tatung said prior information should be given to all in case of imposition of lockdown.
He, however, suggested partial lockdown depending on the situation and stressed that vaccines and updated health facilities should be made available in Covid hospitals.
The civil supply department and APMC assured availability of food, LPG and other essential commodities, while the legal metrology and consumer affairs department assured its cooperation in regulating prices of commodities in case of an eventuality of lockdown.
Among others, Deputy Mayor Biri Bassang, all the corporators, and government officers concerned attended the meeting. (DIPRO)
