Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, 6 May: A crucial meeting of the Arunachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority (APDMA) is going to be held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu at the civil secretariat here on Friday.
Besides all the cabinet ministers, the members of the APDMA will attend the meeting. In view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases across the state, in particular the capital region, the meeting assumes immense significance.
There is growing pressure on the state government from doctors as well as civil society bodies to impose a lockdown in the Itanagar capital region in order to stop community transmission of Covid-19.
With the dedicated Covid hospital (DCH) in Chimpu receiving many serious Covid-19 patients, and cases rising at an alarming rate, doctors have warned that unless a lockdown is imposed, the state is going to face difficult days ahead.
The meeting will review the preparedness for the second wave of Covid-19 and the southwest monsoon.
Meanwhile, with 222 fresh cases on Thursday, the total active cases in the state is 1,858.
The Itanagar capital region (ICR) reported the highest 62 Covid-19 positive cases on Thursday, followed by Lower Dibang Valley (26), and Namsai (19).
Lower Subansiri and Papum Pare recorded 13 cases each, and Lower Siang and West Kameng reported 11 cases each. While 146 are asymptomatic, 76 are symptomatic.
Altogether 140 patients recovered or were discharged on the day.
The DCH in Chimpu, where serious patients from the state are treated, has 40 cases. Of the 42 beds, including two NICU beds, 40 are occupied, according to the latest statistics.
Of the 37 beds in the DCH in Pasighat, 11 beds are already occupied.
