By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, June 5: The Covid-19 Emergency Task Force of the Central Tibetan Administration on Thursday charted out guidelines for the potential ‘third-wave’ of the pandemic in India, and urged special protection for children against the coronavirus. The task force reported 296 new Covid-19 cases and 8 unfortunate deaths in the Tibetan community this week.
Following the new measures adopted by the emergency task force, the secretary of the Health Department Palden Dhondup stated various guidelines for the public to observe during the pandemic. Secretary pointed out that during the second-wave i.e. between March and May, 2453 cases and 82 deaths were reported, citing a monthly average of 817 cases and 26-17 casualties. Currently, 102 patients have been admitted at Tibetan health centers under the Health Department.
The task force briefing also announced that the Department will bear the cost of treating mild and asymptomatic cases effectively from the month of June. He also stated that as per Sikyong’s new directions, the department is “making arrangements to procure vaccines from the state government.” In preparation for the third wave, the department will also dispense Sorig immune boosters to the children aged 4-17, and also for those unvaccinated above the age of 18.
The task force also appealed to the public to take precautionary measures given the rising toll in India, and also highlighted the importance of mental health and post-covid care to attain complete recovery. The briefing also emphasized that the post-covid symptoms continued to affect elders and stressed on a good diet and adequate exercise for recovered individuals.
As of Thursday, a total of 603 people are currently under home quarantine and 456 patients have been admitted at institutional quarantine centers. The department covered testing for 1409 Tibetans across India and Nepal this week, whereas the vaccination drive has reached 17,770 Tibetans as of June 3.
