Health Minister praises NCDC for containing Coronavirus; calls them as our frontline warriors

New Delhi, March 24: Appreciating the efforts and work by all the call center staff at National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) control room for containing the coronavirus in India, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said, “You all form our frontline warriors, who through supporting people with correct, timely and vital information, are rendering yeoman service to the nation,” on Tuesday.

 

The minister visited the NCDC for reviewing the status of preparedness and containment of the virus with Dr. S K Singh, Director (NCDC) and senior officials. Later on, he interacted with the NHM MDs and senior surveillance officers of the States/UTs through a Video Conference.

 

 

He said, "NCDC is taking a lead role in undertaking investigations of disease outbreaks all over the country employing epidemiological and diagnostic tools. He appreciated the public health surveillance and response management, technical guidance, laboratory support and addressing public concerns through a 24x7 helpline for COVID-19 undertaken by NCDC." Visiting and interacting with the response givers and he encouraged them. “I salute the scientists who work with the testing procedures, and put themselves at risk in their line of duty“, he further added.

 

Lauding their dedication, hard work, and sincerity of the surveillance officers and he encouraged them to continue the fight with renewed vigor. He emphasized the quality and sturdiness of community surveillance and contact tracing. “It is the need of the hour that all the people who are either in-home or facility quarantine, need to maintain a strict vigil, and practice the laid down protocols of social distancing and personal hygiene. Special care needs to be taken of the elderly, pregnant women and small children”, he stated.

 

Meanwhile, he also, appealed to "the citizens of India that they should cooperate with the Government authorities, help each other by sharing authentic information and suppress the misconceptions & rumors regarding coronavirus."

 

In all, more than 2 lakh calls have been answered and responded to at the Control Room, while more nearly 52,000 emails have been answered. As on date, cumulatively 1,87,904 persons are under surveillance, and around 35,073 have completed 28 days observation period as on the day. Of the total samples tested(12872), 2023 samples have been tested by NCDC. Of these, 52 have tested positive for COVID-19.