Ludhiana: Amid the rise in Covid cases triggered by its new variant JN.1, local health department officials said that they were ready to deal with any situation that might arise due to the contagion.
They also said that the city’s medical infrastructure was robust and capable to deal with the surge, if any. An official at the civil hospital said they have been asked to gear up to conduct Covid tests.
Punjab government’s directorate of health and family welfare had recently conveyed through a letter to all civil surgeons the urgent need for preventive action to curb the potential spread of the virus.
Civil surgeon Dr Jasbir Singh said that they were prepared to deal with the surge. “As per my knowledge, this variant is not severe. However, people should avoid going to crowded places and maintain social distance while following a healthy lifestyle to boost immunity,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention that there was no confirmed case of Covid in the district till Sunday.
Deputy medical commissioner Dr Amarjit Kaur said they had necessary infrastructure which could be made operational in case of rise in cases. She added that in such a scenario, staff from the periphery can be moved to tackle the surge. She said that last time (when there was a surge in cases), they had set up 200 beds, including 16 with ventilators, for the Covid patients in the civil hospital and shifted the emergency room to ESI Hospital in Ludhiana.
“We have seven oxygen plants in the government health set-ups in Ludhiana, including the civil hospital, urban community health centre in Jawaddi, ESI Hospital, and sub-divisional hospitals of Khanna, Samrala, Jagraon and Raikot. Depending on the situation, the administration alerts them and they make necessary arrangements,” she added.
Dr Jasdeep Singh, nodal officer of the ICU in civil hospital, said they presently have 16 beds for mild to moderate cases, which can be increased as per the requirement.
Meanwhile, health experts have advised people to take precautions.
Punjab IMA president (elect) Dr Sunil Katyal, who is the deputy director of health services at a private hospital in Ludhiana, said from the information about the JN.1 variant available till now, it seems to be like the Omicron variant which spreads fast, but is mild in nature. He said that as advised by the Punjab government, public should be cautious and wear masks at least at common places. People with compromised immunity or existing diseases should exercise extra caution, he added.
Dr Katyal also said that Ludhiana had the necessary infrastructure in government and private set-ups, which can be activated in case of rise in cases. He, however, added that they don’t expect many hospitalisations because of the new variant.
They also said that the city’s medical infrastructure was robust and capable to deal with the surge, if any. An official at the civil hospital said they have been asked to gear up to conduct Covid tests.
Punjab government’s directorate of health and family welfare had recently conveyed through a letter to all civil surgeons the urgent need for preventive action to curb the potential spread of the virus.
Civil surgeon Dr Jasbir Singh said that they were prepared to deal with the surge. “As per my knowledge, this variant is not severe. However, people should avoid going to crowded places and maintain social distance while following a healthy lifestyle to boost immunity,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention that there was no confirmed case of Covid in the district till Sunday.
Deputy medical commissioner Dr Amarjit Kaur said they had necessary infrastructure which could be made operational in case of rise in cases. She added that in such a scenario, staff from the periphery can be moved to tackle the surge. She said that last time (when there was a surge in cases), they had set up 200 beds, including 16 with ventilators, for the Covid patients in the civil hospital and shifted the emergency room to ESI Hospital in Ludhiana.
“We have seven oxygen plants in the government health set-ups in Ludhiana, including the civil hospital, urban community health centre in Jawaddi, ESI Hospital, and sub-divisional hospitals of Khanna, Samrala, Jagraon and Raikot. Depending on the situation, the administration alerts them and they make necessary arrangements,” she added.
Dr Jasdeep Singh, nodal officer of the ICU in civil hospital, said they presently have 16 beds for mild to moderate cases, which can be increased as per the requirement.
Meanwhile, health experts have advised people to take precautions.
Punjab IMA president (elect) Dr Sunil Katyal, who is the deputy director of health services at a private hospital in Ludhiana, said from the information about the JN.1 variant available till now, it seems to be like the Omicron variant which spreads fast, but is mild in nature. He said that as advised by the Punjab government, public should be cautious and wear masks at least at common places. People with compromised immunity or existing diseases should exercise extra caution, he added.
Dr Katyal also said that Ludhiana had the necessary infrastructure in government and private set-ups, which can be activated in case of rise in cases. He, however, added that they don’t expect many hospitalisations because of the new variant.