Check viability of complete lockdown in worst-hit UP districts: HC
The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to look into the viability of complete lockdown in those districts where COVID-19 has spread at an alarming rate in the last two or three weeks saying if the situation is not handled carefully and cautiously, it may lead to the complete collapse of the public health system. Here's more.
HC asked authorities to prioritize public health over elections
We understand that complete lockdown may not be feasible but looking at the current situation, we direct the government to look into the viability of complete lockdown in worst-affected districts, a bench comprising Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar said. The high court, which favored restriction on public gatherings to 50 persons, also asked authorities to give priority to public health over elections (panchayat).
Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur are the worst-hit districts
In the worst affected districts, at least two weeks or three weeks of the viability of complete lockdown should be checked and public gatherings should be restricted to 50 persons, the bench said. Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur have been the worst-hit districts by COVID-19.
HC directed to ensure sufficient production of Remdesivir drug
The high court directed the Centre and the State Government to ensure sufficient production of Remdesivir drug by making its raw materials available to pharma companies and ensuring its supply in the open market. The court also directed to take stern action against those who are hoarding it and are involved in its black marketing.
COVID-19 hospitals are over-flooded with COVID-19 patients: Bench
The surge has absolutely paralyzed public life and all the medical aid systems have reached their complete saturation stage. We have been informed that COVID-19 hospitals are over-flooded with COVID-19 patients and there is both manpower shortage and available facilities in hospitals, the bench observed.
'Public health system may completely collapse'
"The situation is so alarming that if it is not handled carefully and cautiously we may lead to the stage of a complete collapse of the public health system," the bench observed. The bench was also dealing with a PIL on the condition of quarantine centers and treatment of coronavirus infected patients in Uttar Pradesh.
Purchase BiPAP machines, high flow cannula masks
The bench, which passed a slew of directions, said, we insist on emergency purchases of BiPAP machines and high flow cannula masks to meet the demand of patients who may even be lying in the corridors of COVID-19 hospitals/centers. The same purchases have been insisted in ambulances to all district hospitals, level two, and level hospitals of Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur districts immediately.
State government asked to arrange manpower on contract basis
We also direct the Government to acquire open places in the city areas of the state's worst-hit districts to set up a temporary level one hospital in a makeshift structure, the bench said. The bench asked the state government to "arrange manpower on contract basis immediately to serve all those who are admitted to temporary level one COVID-19 hospital/centers."
Vigorously carry out immunization program
"We have been informed that a new COVID-19 testing machine (COVAS) is not functioning for want of testing kit. We direct the state government to provide/arrange testing kits available for COVAS machine at Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj within 24 hours," the bench said. The high court asked the state government to vigorously carry out the immunization program in the state.
The bench fixed April 19 as the next hearing date
"We must give priority to public health over elections and the Government is expected to streamline every department of public health and public care in the light of the observations made above," said the bench, fixing April 19 as the next hearing date.
