Pics: Kevin Rodrigues

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR)

Udupi, May 23: “The district administration is equipped with all facilities to face coronavirus,” said Udupi deputy commissioner (DC) G Jagadeesha,” on Saturday May 23 addressing media persons.

He said, “It is a long time since I called for a press meet. I had conveyed my message through video messages and all the information was carried by all the media. I am thankful to all of you.

“Till date we have received nearly 8,010 people from various states who are natives of Udupi. All these people are sent to government allotted quarantine centres. Out of these, 3,600 samples have been collected. Due to the increase in samples, we need more time for results. We were sending to KMC Manipal, Yenepoya Mangaluru, SIMS Shivamogga, and Wenlock Mangaluru. Recently KMC Manipal started to test samples. They have assured to quicken the pace of testing.

“Currently all the quarantine centres are fully occupied. So we are not taking any entries from outside states. Once the current lot is sent to home quarantine from institutional quarantine as per guidelines issued, we will sanitise all these places. In the next phase, we will receive people from the outside states. Meantime, all have to register their names in Seva Sindu app. We are looking forward to receive new set of guidelines to be implemented after May 31.

“We have already requested Yenepoya Hospital Mangaluru for testing samples as the samples are more in number. As per government order, we are required to do swab tests after 14 days, but we are delayed due to the non-availability of laboratories in the district. Hereby, I urge all people in quarantine and also their family members not to panic and help the authorities to do their work,” he said.

Additional COVID hospitals in Udupi

“To avoid pressure on Dr TMA Pai hospital, we have selected few more hospitals which will be utilized for the treatment of coronavirus positive cases. Even though Dr TMA Pai hospital has 120 beds, we will move patients with lesser symptoms to other hospitals, so that we will have enough space or beds for emergency or serious cases.

“In Kundapur, a 125-bed block is ready at taluk Hospital, 75-bed COVID block at Karkala taluk Hospital, 90 beds at SDM Hospital Udyavar, and Bhuvanendra Hostel with 50 beds are now slated to function. And in case in the future if we require more, the district administration is all prepared address the issues.

“In the above mentioned hospitals, government doctors will be appointed to work round the clock. In case additional doctors are needed, we will take help of private doctors under the Epidemic Act,” he said.

Not required to seal down quarantine places

“If any person tests positive in quarantine places, as per ICMR guidelines, it is not necessary to seal down such places. To avoid panic, I requested media to not publish names of any quarantine places from were results positive come.”

Home food at quarantine places

"In case of medical emergency for especially children, we have permitted to give homemade food, but those will have to be carried in disposable containers."

COVID Funds

“At present we do not have shortage of funds for coronavirus related works. The district lab is coming up in a budget of Rs 2 crore, for various works we have received Rs 1 crore and in SDRF funds we have nearly Rs 5 crore. If we require additional funds, the government will release at the time of need.”

Curfew from 7 pm on Saturday to 7 am on Monday’

“As per state government guidelines, from today 7 pm to Monday 7 am, nearly 36 hours curfew will be imposed in the district. During this period, only essential services like pharmacy, and sale of milk and newspaper will be allowed. Apart from this, if any marriages are scheduled, they can be held with prior permission from tahsildar and with attendance of 50 people. All services including home delivery, travelling in personal vehicles etc is strictly banned. Police lathi will do the talking if any violence is reported during the period.

Complaints filed on illegal sand extraction

“Officers of Mines and Geology department are not included in any COVID related work. They are looking after their work only.

Responding to the question regarding the illegal sand extraction from Swarna river, he said, "We have received a complaint about the same. The officials of department are looking at the work taking place. Illegal sand mining is taking place. We have received many complaint from across the district. Many complaints are also filed. We will not allow any illegal sand extraction. A private complaint is filed about Swarna river illegal sand mining. Four vehicles have been seized. We have even recommended government to suspend two officers who are involved in this case. District administration will take strict action against these illegal activities.

“It has come to our notice that tender holders were extracting sand illegally. They were allocated tenders for slit extraction only. The issue was highlighted and many Congress leaders including former chief minister Siddaramaiah and former minister Pramod Madhwaraj had urged a strict enquiry to be conducted. They also said that local politicians are also involved in this matter,” he said.

Additional DC Sadashiv Prabhu, SP N Vishnuvarndhana, and Udupi zilla panchayat CEO Preeti Gehlot were present.