7,000 Covid -19 vaccines unused, test kits expiring in Jashore
James Abdur Rahim Rana, Jessore
Hundreds of Covid -19 vaccines and test kits are expiring every month in Jashore.
Currently, 2,200 doses of vaccines are unused in the municipality and 4,600 doses in Sadar Upazila. Civil Surgeon Dr. Masud Rana said that such a situation has arisen because the general public is not interested in getting vaccines regularly from the Ministry of Health.
He gave this information at the monthly development coordination committee meeting at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Sunday morning.
Dr. Masud Rana also said that a new variant of COVID-19 has been identified in the country recently. A woman in Jessore has already been identified with COVID-19 and is currently undergoing treatment at the 250-bed Jessore General Hospital. Detailed information about this new variant is not yet available, but he said that it is likely not to be as contagious as before. Nevertheless, he emphasized on following hygiene rules.
The civil surgeon said that the district is making maximum preparations to deal with the coronavirus. 8 beds have been prepared for infected patients at the 250-bed Jessore General Hospital. In addition, a ward with a capacity of 35 people and 1 ICU are being prepared. He said that although there are sufficient rapid antigen kits in the district, their validity will expire in July, so arrangements are being made to preserve the kits. Everyone has also been instructed to refill oxygen cylinders and keep them ready.
Urging everyone to be aware of the new variant of Covid-19, Dr. Masud Rana said that although there is no clear information about the new variant, everyone must be aware. Especially those who are older and those suffering from various diseases are at higher risk. Therefore, he advised to use masks and hand sanitizers regularly. He also urged to be careful of rumors spread about the new variant through social media.
Sharsha UNO Kazi Nazib Hasan said, the need for special surveillance has been emphasized at the Benapole check post. He said that 600 to 700 trucks pass through Benapole land port every day and the coronavirus can also spread through the drivers of those trucks.
In the meeting, the Civil Surgeon discussed the dengue situation in the district. He said that although the dengue situation is normal at present, everyone should be vigilant, especially to ensure that water does not accumulate in buildings under construction.
Deputy Commissioner Md. Azaharul Islam said that everyone should be on the highest alert to prevent the spread of coronavirus. He said that everyone should be vigilant to prevent the virus. Until any instructions are issued by the state, everyone should prepare from their own places. He ordered that all kinds of arrangements should be ensured in government hospitals and if there is a need to add any new equipment, they should be prepared immediately.
The Deputy Commissioner ordered that all necessary preparations be made to take quick action if corona infection occurs in the district.
In addition, the sale of sacrificial animal skins was also discussed in the development committee meeting. The Deputy Commissioner said that one of the reasons for the low sale of skins in the market this year is the inability to preserve the skins. Specially in Lillah boarding houses, there was no problem in preserving the skins as the government provided 250 metric tons of salt. When the price of skins increases, they will sell them. He said that 80 thousand skins are preserved in the district.
The coordination committee meeting also discussed the progress of the work of government departments including the District Council, Municipality, Water Development Board, Roads and Highways, BSTI, Narcotics Control, and Agricultural Extension Department.
Among others, the meeting was attended by District Council Chief Executive Officer Md. Asaduzzaman, Additional Superintendent of Police Noor-e-Alam Siddiqui and Municipal Administrator Rafiqul Hasan.
