New Delhi: The government on Friday issued instructions to 62 Cantonment Boards to identify beds in hospitals, health centres and guest houses for any eventuality in view of fast-spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Spread over 19 States and Union Territories across the country with a population of approx. 21 lakh, these cantonment boards have geared up to the challenge posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
Presidents and Chief Executive Officers of the Cantonment Boards are in constant touch with civilian authorities in their respective areas and providing required assistance whenever needed. All the advisories issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are being strictly adhered to by all the Cantt Boards, a defence official said.
All the Cantonment offices buildings, residential areas, school premises, libraries, parks and markets are being sanitised regularly.
Residents are being sansitised about the COVID-19 via public announcements through loud speakers, informative notices, hoardings, pamphlets displayed at all prominent places, offices and market areas in cantonments.
Residents Medical Officers are organising workshops for all the personnel dealing with essential services and demonstrating precautions to be taken in avoiding transmission of COVID-19 and simultaneously preparing Cantonment General Hospital (CGH) for any emergencies, the official added.
“Cantt Boards are providing face masks, hand gloves, sanitizer bottles to the entire staff. All the hotels and restaurants in cantonment areas are directed to strictly follow advisory,” he added.
Task forces have been set up consisting of office staff to ensure supply of essential commodities, food items, especially for poor people residing in Cantt areas.
All groceries/kirana stores are sansitised against black marketing, avoidance of large gatherings and to follow the lockdown guidelines.
Cantt Boards are also ensuring continued and undisrupted water supply arrangements, as well as street light services. Helpline number for residents has been made functional in most of the Cantt.
India on Friday entered day-3 of its nationwide lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed as many as 724 positive cases of the novel Coronavirus, including 17 deaths.
Out of these, as many as 640 are active cases, while 66 people have been treated for Covid-19 and discharged.
As of now, Maharashtra has highest number of confirmed cases of Covid-19, followed by Kerala.
Globally, total number of people tested coronavirus positive has surged past 500,000, and topping the list is United States. According to reports, worldwide, the death toll climbed past 24,000.
