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Punjab

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Sidhu in favour of two weeks extension in lock down (Exclusive Interview)

April 26, 2020 09:26 PM

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu today said that he was in favour of extension of lock down for another two weeks for more effective control of Corona Virus.

In a special interview with Satinder Bains Editor of Punjab News Express at his residence, Mr.Sidhu said that he wanted that lockdown be extended for another 10-15 days. He was asked to comment on possibility of lifting lock down after May 3. Sidhu said that final decision on curfew would be taken by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in the cabinet meeting being held on April 30. He said that situation in Punjab was under control.

Sidhu said that for Capt Amarinder Singh lives of people of Punjab were priority and he would act accordingly. He said that saving lives of people was top priority and economy would be handled after corona crisi is over. he assured that Punjab government was doing its best to protect people of Punjab.

Replying to a question, Sidhu said that corona virus was limited to certain pockets and most parts of state were free of virus. He added that Mohali as such had no corona positive case except for Jawaharpur where it was confined to seven families. "Even in Jawaharpur 8 patients had tested negative and other patients are also on path of recovery. He said that similarly in Patiala district corona virus cases spiked due to certain families of Bahawalpurias who are very close to each other.

Sidhu said that till April 25, there were only 308 cases and 17 deaths in Punjab. All patients were being treated properly by team of senior doctors. He said that if Plasma therapy used by some other states would be adopted by Punjab if it would be successful. He said that Punjab had a team of senior doctors and they are in touch with all other hospitals.

Sidhu said that there was no shortage of PEP kits and masks for doctors and nurses. We have procured sufficient quantity and now PEP kits are also being manufactured in Punjab. In reply to another question about not giving permission to carry mobile phones to Corona patients, he said that one complaint from Ludhian was received but he has instructed hospitals to allow mobile phone inside isolation wards. He said that even with the help of LG, two LCDs have been installed in Gian Sagar hospital in Banur for entertainment of patients.

Sidhu said that in case of students staying in Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, it is matter of inquiry if university had kept the information secret or not. He said that so many people were stranded, even Sikh pilgrims from Punjab were staying in Hazoor Sahib. Bhotan government had arranged special flight for its about 130 students but others cant do it. He said that they had tested each and every student in LPU and are are without any symptom and healthy.

Sidhu said that he had started sanitation of slum areas in Mohali and around through drones. He started it from Jagatpura where one patient was found but cured. He said that he was sanitizing whole of his constituency and sending personal funds for it. He said that other departments were also doing sanitization in urban and rural areas.

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