Dr Vardhan visits NCDC Control Room, Lab and Testing Facilities

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan visited National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Control Room and the Testing Laboratories and reviewed the current status with Dr S K Singh, Director (NCDC) and senior officials here on March 24, 2020. He also interacted with the NHM MDs and senior surveillance officers of the States/UTs through a Video Conference.

Dr Vardhan said that NCDC is taking a lead role in undertaking investigations of disease outbreaks across the country employing epidemiological and diagnostic tools. He appreciated the public health surveillance and response management, technical guidance, laboratory support and addressing public concerns through a 24×7 helpline for COVID-19 undertaken by NCDC.

He visited the Control Room and appreciating the efforts and work of the call centre staff and the scientists engaged in tests and research,  said, “You all form our frontline warriors, who through supporting people with correct, timely and vital information, are rendering yeoman service to the nation. “I salute the scientists who work with the testing procedures, and put themselves at risk in their line of duty,” he added.  In all, more than 2 lakh calls have been answered and responded to at the Control Room while nearly 52,000 emails have been answered.

Dr Vardhan also lauded the dedication, hard work and sincerity of all the surveillance officers and encouraged them to continue the fight with renewed vigour. Reviewing the status of containment and management of COVID-19 in the country with the NHM MDs, the Union Health Minister emphasised on the quality of the community surveillance and contact tracing. “It is the need of the hour that all the people who are either at home or facility quarantine, need to maintain strict vigil, and practice the laid down protocols of social distancing, and personal hygiene. Special care needs to be taken of the elderly, pregnant women and small children,” he stated.

As on date, cumulatively 1,87,904 persons are under surveillance, and around 35,073 have completed 28 days observation period. Of the total samples tested(12,872), 2,023 samples have been tested by NCDCnof which 52 tested positive for COVID-19, according to a PIB release.