Purnia tops chart in giving Covid jabs to 45+ people: Civil surgeon

PURNIA: Purnia is topping the chart among all 38 districts in the state for the last few days in giving jabs to 45+ people, civil surgeon Dr S K Verma said on Thursday.
“Altogether 2,77,304 people in the age group of 45-59 years were inoculated in the district till Wednesday, which is 40.89% of the total population in Purnia. On the other hand, around 5,71,354 people in all age groups were administered Covid vaccines in the district till Wednesday,” Dr Verma said.
“Purnia is also among the five districts to have received RT-PCR van from the state government for conducting tests. A mobile van can conduct 1,000 tests per day. The district has its own RT-PCR lab also. The mobile units provide results within 8 hours,” he said, adding as per the directive of the principal secretary (health), the van will be tagged with Kishanganj and Araria districts soon.
On the possibility of a third wave and steps being taken in this regard, Dr Verma said, “We are preparing for the impending third wave. Since children are likely to be affected the most in the third wave, we are in the process of setting up a 100-bed paediatrics facility at Purnia sadar hospital and Dhamdaha and Banmankhi sub-divisional hospitals. Of the six paediatricians, two will be deputed at the sadar hospital and two each at Banmankhi and Dhamdaha hospitals. In addition to this, the Indian Paediatrics Association (IPA), Purnia branch, has offered help if the situation warrants.”