In view of the considerable improvement inthe Covid situation across the State, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit SinghChanni on Wednesday ordered relaxation in restrictions from 150 to 300 onindoor and 300 to 500 on outdoor gatherings in the State. He however, said thatthe Covid protocol restrictions would be adhered to strictly despite theserelaxations.
While reviewing the Covid position in theState, the Chief Minister also asked the School Education Department toencourage the students to attend classes by following the necessary healthprotocols. Likewise, he also asked the Social Security, Women and ChildDevelopment department to reopen anganwari centres while strictly following theprescribed Covid safety norms.
Expressing satisfaction over the decline inpositivity rate of Covid cases, the Chief Minister also asked the Healthdepartment to ensure strict compliance to Covid safety protocols includingwearing of mask and social distancing. He also asked the Health department toramp up the testing capacity upto 50000 per day as a precautionary measure inview of the coming festive season.
While making a brief presentation on thecurrent Covid scenario, the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Mr.Alok Shekhar said that the 232 cases were reported during last week with anaverage of 33 positive cases per day. He further informed that from September14 to 20 only a single case of Mucormycosis was reported, whereas, no new casewas reported thereafter.
The Principal Secretary Health also apprisedthe Chief Minister that the Covid situation in the state was stable and atpresent 25,000 to 30,000 Covid tests were being done daily with a special focuson the students.
Giving an account of population covered forCovid vaccination across the state, Mr. Shekhar informed the Chief Ministerthat 91 percent of population above 60 years, 77 percent of 45-59 and 57percent of 18-44 years was covered for the first dose of COVID vaccination. Hesaid that the state at present has availability of 218895 doses of Covaxin and261860 doses of Covishield.