Social distancing will protect people from COVID-19: CM

Patna, Apr 18 () Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumaron Saturday said practising social distancing during lockdownwill not only protect people from COVID-19 but will also helpprotect them from other diseases.

Kumar was apprised of the latest COVID-19 situation inthe state by officials at the meeting here.

The chief minister asked the officials to ensure thetreatment of other diseases apart from COVID-19 at hospitalsso that general patients do not face any kind of difficultiesin treatment.

"We have full commitment to tackle COVID-19.Practising social distancing apart from enforcing lockdownwill protect us from COVID-19 infections, Kumar saidaccording to an official release .

Ensuring adequate arrangements of ambulance forCOVID-19 positive patients was necessary but the generalpatients should also be provided the facilities of ambulance,Kumar said.

The chief minister said that people coming from otherstates must be tested for COVID-19 regularly and every familyin the four affected districts must be screened forCoronavirus.

"The drive (door to door screening) is being carriedout on the lines of Pulse polio to identify COVID-19 infectedpeople in affected districts. Every family must be coveredduring the drive being carried out . District Magistrates tosupervise it in the districts," he said

Kumar asked officials to ensure timely distribution ofration to ration cardholders.

The CM directed that dry milk powder be made availableto the people at disaster relief camps.

The chief minister directed officials to start onlineclasses for students of class 9 and 10.

Education Departments Principal Secretary R K Mahajaninformed the CM that one hour slot has been booked on DD,Bihar for starting online education from April 20, whileanother slot for online education for class 11 and 12 has beensought for. ARRG RG