Mandya: With the district witnessing a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in the past few days, Mandya Deputy Commissioner S. Aswathi interacted with COVID patients via Zoom video application and inquired about facilities available at Covid Care Centres.

Chairing a meeting of Health Department officials and Tahsildars of Mandya district at her office here on Monday, Aswathi made a video call to a COVID Care Centre, inquired about food, drinking water, hot water and other facilities available there. She told them to contact the authorities concerned if they face any problem.

She gathered information from Health officers of Malavalli, K.R. Pet, Srirangapatna, Maddur, Nagamangala and Pandavapura Taluks of the district and directed them to provide good food and other facilities to the patients and thus ensure that there are no complaints.

Stressing on the need for tracing and testing primary and secondary contacts of infected persons, the DC asked the officials to ensure proper administration of the vaccine.

Pointing out that officials should penalise those found not wearing masks in public and also those violating COVID-19 guidelines  at places of public gatherings such as Marriage Halls, Malls, festivals, fairs etc., Aswathi instructed the officials to keep a round-the-clock surveillance on violation of guidelines and SOPs at public spaces. She further directed to improve COVID-19 Care Centres in rural areas.

Taking note of increasing number of people getting home quarantined or under self-isolation in rural areas too, the DC asked the officials to keep a constant vigil on the health of such people and also to get their contacts tested as a precautionary and safety measure.

ADC Shailaja, District Health Officer Dr. Manchegowda, MIMS Director Dr. Harish, District Surveillance Officer Sanjay and other officials were present.