Chandigarh: In an extraordinary order, which is being attributed to the coronavirus assuming alarming proportion in the state, Punjab Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan has directed all DCs, CPs and SSPs to redouble their efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chairing a review meeting recently with these officers through video conferencing, the Chief Secretary expressed concern over the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

Batting for enhancing level three facilities in the hospitals, she said that mortality rates must be reduced. Mahajan categorically asked the Deputy Commissioners of Kapurthala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Amritsar to take special preventive measures for checking the mortality rate.

The Chief Secretary asked the officers to ensure a separate dialysis facility, in districts wherever required, for Covid-19 affected patients. She also asked the officers to encourage the private hospitals to partner with the government and ensure most optimal utilisation of healthcare facilities while ensuring best possible treatment. /BI/