Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Jun 1: All the gram panchayats in the district should work to reduce the Covid cases and bring it down to zero, said minister for muzrai and backward classes welfare, Kota Srinivas Poojary.

He was speaking via video conference with the heads of gram panchayats of Kundapur Vidhan Sabha constituency on Tuesday, Jun 1.

“The houses of Covid patients should be sealed down in the villages and food kits should be provided by the authorities. Their oxygen levels should be monitored every day by a pulse oximeter,” he said.

“The gram panchayats will be subjected to complete lockdown if the cases exceed 50. Barricades will be placed to prevent the incoming and outgoing of people.”

“Criminal cases should be registered against private hospitals which do not inform gram panchayats about Covid positive cases treated by them. People in home isolation if found roaming outside will be booked. To keep track of such patients stamp the hands of people,” he advised.

“Gram panchayats should hold meetings twice a week, plan and conduct their work. ASHA workers and health workers should regularly visit the houses of the infected. The primary contacts of such patients should be subjected to Covid tests.”

“Take action against those playing cricket in the panchayat limits despite restrictions. Seek the help of the police if necessary. Make sure that there is no confusion or chaos among the public during vaccinations. Know the number of vaccines being provided in advance, plan vaccination schedules to avoid excessive crowding. Panchayat members will be announced as frontline warriors and will receive a vaccination on priority. Discussions on using final year medical students for Covid work will be held,” he said.

District panchayat CEO, Dr Navin Bhat, various gram panchayat presidents, vice presidents and PDOs were present.