Leh, March 8 : The LAHDC, Leh is closely monitoring the situation of COVID-19 in Leh as two patients isolated at SNM Hospital with travel history to Iran were conformed infected with coronavirus yesterday evening.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh Gyal P Wangyal chaired a high-level meeting at Council Secretariat today morning which was attended by Executive Councillor for Agriculture Phuntsog Stanizn, Director Health UT Ladakh Dr. Phuntsog Angchuk, Additional District Development Commissioner, Leh Moses Kunzang, ADC Leh Dr. Zahida Bano, Chief Education Officer Leh Girdari Lal and Deputy Superintendent of Police (HQ) Leh Ishtaq Ahmad Katcho.
CEC Wangyal said that regarding outbreak of coronavirus in Leh, LAHDC, Leh had a detail meeting with LG Ladakh R.K Mathur at Raj Niwas yesterday evening and appealed public to don’t panic as all precautionary measure are being taken by UT Administration and Hill Council Leh regarding foolproof screening of incoming passengers and to contain the spread of virus. Wangyal said that to update the general public about COVID-19, the official Spokesperson of UT Ladakh, Commissioner/Secretary Health Sh. Rigzin Samphel will hold press conference at 4:00 PM every day.
To contain the possible spread of coronavirus, the meeting decided to close all the education institutions including colleges till 31st March. The meeting also decided to appeal religious organizations and people to avoid mass gathering for next 15 days. District Magistrate and District Police was directed to issue public notice/circulars against the spread of rumors especially through social media.
Later, CEC addressing a press conference said that besides expert team from Delhi, a team of doctors both in urban and rural areas of Leh are keeping close monitoring and appealed people to cooperate with the doctors. He said that three quarantine centers have been established in Leh including SNM Hospital, Mahabodhi Hospital and Hearth foundation and in case of need Army and ITBP facilities will be used.
For screening of incoming passengers, KBR Airport, Technical Airport Leh and Thoise airport have been following strict standard operating procedure.