Punjab CM orders 30k Covid testing a day amid 2nd wave fears

Amid projections of a second coronavirus wave hitting Punjab, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday directed the health and medical education departments to maintain the levels of testing at 30,000 a day. Capt Amarinder also ordered amendment in rules to enable direct recruitment of super-specialist doctors to meet the shortfall of medical staff.

 Chairing a high-level virtual meeting to review the pandemic situation in the state, the CM asked Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to work on amending the rules to ensure direct recruitment in super speciality departments to prevent weakening of the Covid-19 battle.

 The CM directed the concerned departments that at least 25000 RT-PCR and 5000 Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) should be conducted every day without any laxity. The current decline in cases notwithstanding, the situation remains grim with a second coronavirus wave expected to hit the state, he said, stressing the need to strictly follow all Covid safety and behavioural protocols. He directed DGP Dinkar Gupta to crack down heavily on those not wearing masks or not adhering to social distancing and other norms. 

 Capt Amarinder underlined the need to focus on potential super spreaders. Government employees must be tested routinely, and with schools and colleges opening up, it is important to make proper schedules and enhance the number of mobile teams for testing, he said.