A rapid response team has been formed at McGann Hospital, a government hospital attached to Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), to face exigencies that may arise due to COVID-19.
At a meeting held on Wednesday to review the preparations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Lepakshi B.G., Dean of SIMS, said that the team would function round-the-clock. Preparations have been made to test the samples collected from patients having symptoms of COVID-19 in the laboratory on the campus of SIMS.
K.M. Vaishali, CEO of Zilla Panchayat, who chaired the meeting underscored the need for greater coordination between various departments to prevent the spread of COIVD-19 in the district. She ordered conducting of awareness and training programmes for medical and para-medical personnel at government and private health establishments on the diagnosis of COVID-19 and on the treatment protocol to be followed for patients. She said that the Department of Health and Family Welfare should inform the management of schools through the Department of Public Instruction that children with symptoms of viral fever should take rest at home. The health of such children should be monitored.
She said medical screening has been made mandatory for those coming from foreign countries. Travel firms and hotels have been directed to inform the district administration on the presence of foreign tourists. She directed the officials of Department of Health and Family Welfare to conduct field-level activities including demonstrations in educational institutions on maintaining hygiene. She also asked the officials to pay surprise visits to restaurants to check for cleanliness.
Ms. Vaishali released a poster published by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on the precautions to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Rajesh Suragihalli, District Health Officer, and Kiran S.K., Deputy Director of Viral Diagnostic Laboratory, were present.
