Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Mar 16: Following the emerging situation due to COVID-19 and in view of the opening of the Srinagar-Kargil highway, Deputy Commissioner Kargil has issued order for the establishment of a Screening Post at Meenamarg and a Quarantine Center at Drass.
The DC has directed the SDM/Tehsildar Drass and Block Medical Officer Drass to establish a full-fledged Screening Post at Meenamarg within three days time positively which shall remain functional 24×7.
The officers concerned have also been instructed to establish a Quarantine Center in the TRC building near Tourist Dak Bungalow Drass with at least 50 beds and all other necessary facilities.
The DC Kargil has also instructed the SDM/Tehsildar Drass, Chief Medical Officer Kargil and Block Medical Officer Kargil to depute screening and monitoring squads at the Screening Post and Quarantine Center on week wise schedule basis while also ensuring the preparation of proper duty roasters.
He has instructed the officers concerned to ensure that the squads shall ensure 100% screening of the passengers/tourists/ drivers and military/para-military personnel at Meenamarg and has said that under no circumstances can any individual be allowed to enter Drass without screening.
The order states that during the screening process if any individual is suspected to have COVID-19 symptoms, he/she shall be immediately shifted to the Quarantine Center at Drass and after examination/observation there if the doctor is convinced that the individual/patient has high probability of COVID-19 infection, he/she shall be immediately shifted to the Isolation Ward established at GNM Nursing School Kurbathang, Kargil.
The Chief Medical Officer Kargil has been directed to keep one ambulance at Meenamarg and one at Drass in complete readiness for evacuation of suspected patients to Drass and Kargil, respectively.
The order further reads that the SSP Kargil shall make all necessary security arrangements at both Meenamarg Screening Post and Drass Quarantine Center while as the SDM/ Tehsildar Drass shall make all necessary boarding and lodging including heating arrangements for the screening and monitoring squads at both locations.
“Strict action shall be taken against officers/officials of any department in case of the non-compliance of instructions, the order reads.
Meanwhile, the SDM/ Tehsildar Drass has been nominated as the Nodal Officer for the entire process of screening, monitoring and quarantine.
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