Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Mar 6: District health officer (DHO) Dr Ramachandra Bairy on Saturday February 6, said that there is a threat to Dakshina Kannada (DK) district as new coronavirus cases are spiking in the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Kerala.
He was speaking after receiving felicitation in 1st Dr Sajjan Endowment Oration programme organised by the department of Community Medicines in Kasturba Medical College (KMC) here.
He further said, "In the recent few days, the infection rate was below 5%, but the spiking new Covid-19 cases in the neighbouring states, is a worrying trend, as many people are entering the district.
"As many as 93,000 students, paramedical students, and staff in the hospital have been tested, but only 67 positives cases were reported," he said.
Dr Bairy said that the officials of the health department are screening and seeking Covid-19 negative reports from the passengers coming from Maharashtra at the airport. “During the first wave of Covid-19, it was a very tough job to tackle the situation. But due to cooperation from representatives and bureaucrats, it was possible for the health department to respond on time.
"In the month of June and July, when the cases were spiking, we were totally helpless as there was a shortage of place to isolate the patients. After higher officials in the department allowed home isolation, everything was resolved.
"As of now, there are 10 RT-PCR laboratories in the city.
“The district has achieved only 60% of Covid vaccination shots. As many 5,361 health care sector workers came forward to receive the jab. There is a good response from the senior citizens in receiving the vaccination,” he said.
He also called upon young doctors to take leadership and to maintain good communication.
“For the last two years, everybody is talking about health. Nobody was used to talking about health earlier. Because of the pandemic, we all have become warriors. The narrative has changed and the whole world is focusing on community medicine. Preventive medicine will be the mantra for the future as we do not known what type of a pandemic or virus will affect us, said Dr Dilip G Naik, pro vice-chancellor, MAHE.
Shivabhai, wife of Dr Sajjan, was felicitated on the occasion.
Dr Rekha T, professor and head of Community Medicine, KMC, presented an overview of the department.
Dr M K Sudharashan, chairman, State Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee, Karnataka, was virtually felicitated.
Dr B Unnikrishnan, additional dean, professor of department of Community Medicine, KMC, welcomed. Dr Ramesh Holla, associate professor of the department, rendered the vote of thanks.
Dr Giridhar R Bhabu, head-Lifecourse Epidemiology, Indian Institute of Public Health, PHFI, presented a guest lecture on the title ‘Lessons learnt from Covid-19 response India’.