Punjab prepared to deal with Covid third wave: Official
Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Jan, 2022 01:33 PM
Chandigarh, Jan 5 (IANS) As the number of Covid-19 cases are rising in Punjab with a positivity rate at six per cent, the threat of a third wave looms large, but the Health Department is fully geared to deal with it, said state Health Department Director G.B. Singh on Wednesday.
Although the department has all infrastructural needs in place to deal with the large number of cases expected in case of the third wave becoming a reality, he also appealed to the people to get themselves fully vaccinated against the virus as it is the most potent tool to avoid Covid-19.
To increase vaccination coverage, the Health Department has started vaccinating children in the age group of 15-18 from January 3 and so far approximately 12,000 children were provided the first dose of the vaccine.
He said the drive to administer booster doses of the vaccine is going to start from January 10.
Singh also made an appeal to follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour strictly as transmissibility of the Omicron variant is three times more than that of the Delta variant.
Police officials said that the gang of six members, including two women, began its activities just before the first lockdown in 2020. The main member, the kingpin of the racket, identified as Neeraj of Haryana's Bahadurgarh, was apprehended by the police near PVR Cinema, Sector-14, Prashant Vihar, Rohini.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi on Monday blamed his predecessor Amarinder Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal and the BJP for clandestinely harming the state's interests, with their sole focus on the forthcoming Assembly polls.
The Delhi Police on Monday told a court that no cognisable offence was committed under its jurisdiction, while replying to a plea seeking lodging of an FIR against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for his alleged remarks against the protesting farmers in a video. The Delhi Police's submission came after the court sought an action taken report (ATR) in the matter.
Acceding to the major demand of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Channi said the foundation stone of a convention centre for PITEX spread over 10 acres would be laid within a week to enable the organisation to carry out diverse range of activities to promote trade and industry in the region in a big way.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that Punjab had reported four deaths due to shortage of Oxygen during the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
Welcoming the leaders in the party, Shekhawat said that the BJP will be strengthened in Punjab. "They have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they will strengthen the organisation in the state. BJP is moving ahead in Punjab and will create a new history," he said, noting all the new joinees are prominent names in their respective fields.