Pune District Collector warns re-lockdown if COVID-19 situation worsens

Pune District Collector warns re-lockdown if COVID-19 situation worsens

Pune: Issuing a stern warning to citizens in the city and rural areas, District Collector Naval Kishor Ram has said that government norms are not being followed by citizens and the administration is prepared to take harsh measures like re-lockdown if the situation doesn't come under control. He also announced that if more than five patients are found in a village, then it will be declared a containment zone in entirety. 

In the last 20 days, the COVID-19 cases have increased considerably in the rural areas of the district. This number is worrying especially in gram panchayat areas adjoining the city. Even though the state government has relaxed the lockdown, the threat of the coronavirus outbreak has not subsided. Citizens in rural and urban areas are seen not wearing masks and are stepping out of their homes for non-essential purposes too. If this situation prevails and the number of COVID-cases continues to rise, then the administration will have to go for harsh measures like imposing the lockdown again, said Ram. 

Ram said, "We are focussing on preventive and precautionary measures as well as creating awareness in public about curbing the spread of coronavirus in the district. However, citizens are not following norms. Large gatherings can be seen in marriage functions, and citizens are not wearing masks. We have now formed a special squad to keep a check on such gatherings and citizens."

"Asymptomatic patients should isolate themselves at home. If there is no separate room to isolate such patients, then they should go to the COVID-Care-Centre (CCC) instead of any hospital," he added.

New COVID Care Centres have been started at the College of Engineering Pune (COEP) and Agricultural College premises. These two centres will provide facilities for 1,400 patients. The work of CCC at Balewadi is under progress.

Divisional Commissioner Dr Deepak Mhaisekar said, "We have appointed four more senior officers to shoulder the responsibility of curbing the spread of Covid-19. The number of tests conducted daily has been increased, which is reflecting in the higher number of COVID-positive cases in the district."

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