‘Doubling rate of COVID-19 has improved in rural areas’

Yogesh Kumbhejkar

Staff Reporter :

Here is a good news for rural areas of Nagpur district. The doubling rate of COVID-19 cases has improved from 13-14 days to 20-21 days, said Yogesh Kumbhejkar, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad (ZP). Interacting with the mediapersons at his chamber in ZP on Thursday, Kumbhejkar said that after the recent spike in number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural areas, the administrative agencies had co-ordinated with each other and had strengthened the monitoring mechanism. “We ensured that the control rooms in all tehsils of Nagpur district were working well. Regular stock-taking of the Dedicated COVID Hospitals, Rural Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals is being done.

Also, when Kamptee turned out to be a COVID-19 hotspot, making the people aware helped,” Kumbhejkar said. Now, he said, Kamptee was ‘stabilising’. Though the number of COVID-19 cases was increasing in Nagpur Rural, Hingna, Kalmeshwar, and Saoner tehsils, steps are being taken to contain the spread. Pulse Oxymeters are being procured, examined thoroughly for use, and then sent to tehsil places, he added. Still, Kumbhejkar said, the people also needed to extend co-operation to the authorities concerned to help in achieving the desired results. “People must come out for testing if they have symptoms. Besides, they should take due care and follow the guidelines.

There is no need to be afraid, but one must take necessary precautions,” he said. Replying to a question, he said that there were several villages where no case was found. However, he added quickly, it did not mean that the villages where COVID-19 cases came to fore had been lax. In fact, he observed, economic activities required travel and interaction between individuals from different places. In such places, especially the rural areas near Nagpur city, had more number of cases. Asked about lockdown, he replied that it was not a sure-shot solution. Lockdown cannot be imposed for long, he added. ZP administration has made a single-point arrangement for facilitation of allotment of beds in Dedicated COVID Hospitals.

Whenever a case gets reported from rural areas, ZP co-ordinates with All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Government Medical College and Hospital, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, MLA Hostel and facilitates allocation of bed at the appropriate facility depending upon the condition of the patient. On ZP remaining closed for a week, Kumbhejkar said that the essential work was going on. So far, 30 persons had tested positive in ZP headquarters, mainly in General Administration Department and Health Department. “We have just restricted the entry of visitors. We appeal to the people to submit memorandums or applications through e-mail,” he said.

Dr Kamalkishore Futane, Additional Chief Executive Officer; Rajendra Bhuyar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Gram Panchayat); Anil Gadekar also were present on the occasion.

‘Administrators to be appointed to 128 GPs’ The term of 128 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in Nagpur district is coming to an end this month and next month. As the elections cannot be held to these GPs due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation, Zilla Parishad (ZP) administration has to appoint Administrators, said Yogesh Kumbhejkar, Chief Executive Officer of ZP. Accordingly, Extension Officers will be named as Administrators to these GPs. Of these 128 GPs, term of 28 is coming to an end by August 30 and that of 100 in September.