Representational image: Image credit: Orissa Today

The Centre on Saturday said that under Lifeline UDAN, air cargo carriers have transported around 119 tonnes of essential commodities across the northeast and other hilly areas.

COVID-19 related reagents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), masks, gloves, etc have been transported by Lifeline UDAN,” said Lav Agrawal, joint secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

He said that various actions have been initiated by the Centre along with the States and UTs for the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the country.

“These are being regularly monitored at the highest level. In order to address the requirements of containment and management of COVID-19 in the country, various levels of health professionals including doctors, nursing professionals, allied healthcare professionals and others are available,” he said.

As many as 9.70 lakh ASHAs, one lakh AYUSH professionals, NCC Cadets, ex-Servicemen, Red Cross/NSS/ NYK volunteers, employees from gram panchayats and Urban Local Body employees, Civil Society Organisations may be involved as required.

A Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for reallocation of residents/ PG Students and nursing students as part of hospital management has been prepared.

Additionally, more than 31,000 doctors including retired doctors from Government, Armed Forces Medical Services, Public Sector undertaking, and private doctors have voluntarily signed up to join the fight against COVID-19.

He said that 30 Training Modules have so far been prepared and compiled on various topics such as clinical management, ventilator support, infection prevention and control, quarantine management etc.

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He said that most of the COVID 19 deaths are being reported from elderly people or people having co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney/ cardiac issues etc.

He said that all people falling in the high-risk category need to follow all precautions.

Moreover, an age profile analysis of all the positive cases being reported so far shows that:

  • 8.61 per cent cases are between 0-20 years
  • 41.88 per cent cases are between 21 to 40 years
  • 32.82 per cent cases are between 41 to 60 years
  • 16.69 per cent cases above 60 years

As of now, 2902 confirmed cases and 68 deaths have been reported. 183 persons have been cured/discharged from the hospitals after recovery.