Bhubaneswar: The State Government has asked all concerned officials to form District Level Task Force for management of the predicted Third Wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
Health & Family Welfare Department, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), PK Mohapatra has asked all Collector, Municipal Commissioners, Director of Capital Hospital, Superintendents of Government Medical Colleges and CDM&PHOs on Covid-19 management for pediatrics population for possible Third Wave.
The children in the age group of 0-18 are yet to be vaccinated as the scientists have not allowed it so far. As per the prediction of the public health experts, there is a possibility of increased incidence of Covid-19 cases amongst the population of this age group in the eventuality of a Third Wave of Covid-19.
The State needs to be in full preparedness for capacity building for managing the high number of cases expected during the predicted Third Wave of the pandemic, Mr.Mohapatra said.
For effective monitoring and supervision, the ACS directed to form a District Level Task Force under the chairmanship of Collector and DM and other members being CDM & PHO, District Public Health Officers, Senior Pediatric Specialist, Anesthesia Specialist, WHO/UN officials and any other co-opted members.
This committee will regularly do the gap analysis, monitor & take steps for remedial action. The respective Collectors of the Districts shall take a meeting in this regard within a week, he said.
All pediatric cases of ILI/SARI need to be listed and swab collection of children of 0-18 age group shall be ensured for RT-PCR testing to screen out suspected positive cases in all health care facilities across the State, he further said.
“Non-availability of RT-PCR report will not be a criteria for not admitting a sick deserving patient. 50 percent of existing ICU, PICU, NICU may be isolated and earmarked for use to manage Pediatric Covid cases. Steps will also be taken for upgrading the capacity,” the ACS said.
The Collectors and Municipal Commissioners have been instructed to take immediate necessary steps in this regard and to remain in readiness in order to tackle the expected 3rd wave towards Pediatric Covid care.
