COVID-19: Sikkim guv asks CM to expedite process for setting up testing lab

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COVID-19: Sikkim guv asks CM to expedite process for setting up testing lab
Gangtok, Apr 8 () Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad onWednesday urged Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to expeditethe process for setting up a laboratory in the state fortesting samples of persons suspected to be infected with thenovel coronavirus.

He said a testing laboratory will enable earlydetection and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

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During the second review meeting on coronavirusoutbreak with Tamang and senior officials at the Raj Bhawan,Prasad said the state government must accord top priority toestablishing a testing laboratory in the state incollaboration with the ICMR.

He asked the state government to strengthen itsmechanism and preparedness to keep coronavirus at bay inSikkim.

Preventive measures have become all the more importantsince there has been a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases acrossthe country in April, the governor said.

He said the state government must look aftervulnerable sections of the society in view of "the likelihoodof lockdown being extended beyond April 14".

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The chief minister assured the governor that the stategovernment was doing its best to tackle the coronavirusoutbreak and is distributing relief materials among vulnerablesections of the society.

No coronavirus case has been detected in Sikkim sofar, Tamang told the governor.

Agreeing with the governor that there was a likelihoodthat the lockdown might be extended beyond April 14, Tamangsaid the state government has decided that all educationalinstitutions in Sikkim shall continue to remain closed tillthe situation normalises.

He said that buffer stock of all essentialcommodities, including medical consumables, has beenmaintained.

Strict vigil has been maintained at the border check-points to restrict the movement of people and vehicles even ifneighbouring states lift the lockdown, Tamang said.

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Partial relaxation of lockdown norms, if any, afterthe stipulated time will be in line with the guidelines issuedby Centre, he added. KDKACD ACD
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