Manipur to come up with new SOPs given the spike of COVID cases in State

IMPHAL:

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday, said that the state government would soon come up with new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) given the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state.

While talking to reporters on the sideline of a COVID awareness programme held at the CM's secretariat, Singh appealed to the people to strictly follow the protocols set by the government.

“Obeying the SOPs would be the only means to combat this pandemic," he said.

Manipur witnessed a spike in the locally transmitted cases in the last few weeks.

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TOLL-FREE NUMBERS

The chief minister also informed that the state would soon open up offices with a toll-free number that will involve local clubs, civil bodies, ASHA workers and others to reach out to people in every corner of the state.

Singh said, it is necessary to involve every citizen of the state as the prevention from the pandemic depends on the behaviour of each individual.

He also added that the frontline workers will be covered with a life insurance scheme till 2021.

Covid-19 treatment has now been covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and the state government would also soon approve such coverage of treatment under the state government health scheme.

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COVID EXPENSES

The chief minister informed that the expense on COVID-19 made by the state government so far, is around Rs 62 crore with Rs 26.68 crore on quarantine centres, Rs 3.39 crore on medical equipments and Rs 2.59 crore on Covid testing machines and kits.

He added that Rs 5.33 crore has been spent on Covid care centres, Rs 2.53 crore on ambulances, Rs 3.46 crore on police, transport and Manipur Bhavans, and Rs 19 crore was spent from the Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Relief Fund on relief measures given to migrants.

A total of 40 additional beds will be provided each to RIMS and JNIMS hospitals in Imphal, while 50 beds have been set up

at the private Shija Hospital here and another 36 will be ready within a month.