Mathur reviews steps to control virus in Ladakh

Leh, May 23

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur reviewed the Covid scenario in the Union Territory and called for intensifying testing across villages to control the spread of the infection, an official spokesman said on Sunday.

He also directed the Health Department to begin infrastructural development and strengthen the paediatric section to tackle the possible third wave besides building up medicine stock for black fungus for an immediate emergency, the spokesman said.

Three more patients die of Covid

• Ladakh has registered three more Covid-related fatalities and 131 fresh cases, taking the infection tally to 17,277 and the death toll to 176
• Leh has accounted for 128 deaths and Kargil 48. Of the new cases, 108 were in Leh and 23 in Kargil

Chairing a virtual meeting with senior officials here on Saturday, Mathur also appealed to all to follow guidelines related to funerals, marriages and other social functions.

Director Health, Phuntsog Angchuk, gave Mathur a detailed account of the current number of Covid patients, their condition and current bed occupancy and also apprised him about the available equipment and medicines, the spokesman said. The department also informed about items being procured, including medicines, RT-PCR testing kits and oxygen cylinders. Mathur directed the department to complete stocking of Covid-19 essentials for the next four months on an urgent basis to avoid any shortage in the months to come.

Discussing the status of the upcoming oxygen plants at Zanskar, Drass and Nubra under PM Cares with 100 litres per minute capacity, Principal Secretary Pawan Kotwal apprised the meeting that the plants would be set up by next month, while an additional proposal for installation of 1000-litre oxygen plants, one each at Leh and Kargil, has already been submitted to the Health Ministry. — PTI