The Covid Task Force of the Department of Health held its 67th briefing on Thursday, 8 July. The briefing urged the public to continue following safety protocols during gatherings despite the relaxation of restrictions by the respective state governments and the relative decrease in Covid cases.
In her briefing, Tenzin Kunsang, Deputy Secretary, and head of the Covid Task Force, said: “The infection rate has increased twofold while the death rate has almost doubled between the first and second wave of the pandemic. In case there is a third wave, we should take lessons from the challenges faced during the second wave to avoid facing the same problems. Therefore, we should continue following the safety protocols such as wearing masks, washing (sanitising) hands, and maintaining physical distance.”
“We should also refrain from traveling at this time. In case of emergencies, we should try to minimize our interactions with people while travelling. Most importantly, when you return after your travel, stay in home quarantine for at least 14 days to avoid community transmission of the virus,” she advised.
She also recommended breathing exercises, meditation practices, healthy dieting, to overcome the mental stress caused as a result of home isolation and other safety measures. She also urged the public to call department of health for help if encountering any mental or psychological trauma. She further urged the public to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection and illness.
Dr Tsering Tsamchoe, in her weekly briefing, reported that there are 14 quarantine centres in India and 5 in Nepal. She explained that a total of 929 people are currently in quarantine including 389 people who are in home quarantine and 549 in institutional quarantine.
She explained that in the last one and a half years, 37339 units of Sorig immune boosters have been distributed free of cost. She also reported that the department of health has provided psychological counselling to 39 people and added that 396 people in India and 29 in Nepal have been tested for Covid19 in the last one week.
In terms of vaccination, at least 15630 people have been successfully inoculated (both doses) while 30705 people have received the first dose. Percentage wise, over 84% of Tibetans in India have participated in the vaccination drive. She, however, clarified that the situation in Nepal is slightly different due to the low availability of vaccines. So far, only 1045 has received the first dose while only 403 have received both doses of the vaccine in Nepal.
She also updated that there has been 52 new Covid positive cases in the last week in India and Nepal. Of which the oldest was 95 years while the youngest was a five year old. One 90-year-old person has died in the last week from the virus. In the last one and a half years, 5208 has tested positive. Out of which, 4797 has rcovered while 132 has died. Currently, there are 279 active cases, she said.
Dr Tenzin Tsundue from Delek Hospital in his briefing, talked about the slight increase in covid positive cases in India in the last 24 hours and advised caution. He also talked about the critical covid situation prevailing in Bhutan and Monyul and urged the public over there to follow safety measures. He further informed the public about the deteriorating covid situation in Kerala, Assam, Odisha.
Since it is the tourist season in Himachal at this time, he advised the public to keep wearing face masks and get tested if anyone is exhibiting covid symptoms.