"Can't Permit Char Dham Yatra To Become Another Hot Bed For COVID Spread": Uttarakhand High Court

The Bench of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Vermafurther observed that the opening of the Char Dhams couldn't be permitted to become another hotbed for the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Importantly, the Court asked the State to be over vigilant, and ever ready to increase the number of testing throughout the State, in general, and in bigger cities of the State in order to gauge the extent of positivity in the State.

Underling that a large extent of the State is covered by mountains, and the fact that the villages and hamlets are spread at the mountain tops, the State Government was directed,

"To seriously consider the use of 'mobile vans' which can penetrate into the heartland and into the interior parts of the State for carrying out the test."

Taking into account the positivity rate, the Court observed,

"If this trend continues for another three to four months, not only Uttarakhand, but even the nation, will hit its peak after three to four months. The rough estimate is that by the end of July, 2021 or beginning of August, 2021, six lakhs people may be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic within the State."

Thus, the court remarked that the instant issue and the future concern was the level of preparedness of the State to fight the war which has just begun with COVID-19.

In view of the present circumstances, this Court issued the following directions to the State: -

• Consider the use of other kits, besides the Rapid Antigen Kit, or the RT PCR tests, for increasing the tests being carried out on daily basis.
• Increase the number of Dedicated COVID-19 Hospitals. For, merely having five Dedicated COVID-19 Hospitals is too little to tackle the menace, especially when the pandemic is likely to spread and increase throughout the State in the coming months.
• Consider the feasibility of establishing temporary hospitals with the help of the Defence Research and Development Organization ('DRDO' for short), or with the help of any other Central agency.
• Increase the number of COVID-19 Health Care Centres. Since, presently, the Health Care Centres are established only in twelve districts, the Health Care Centres also need to be established in the thirteenth district of the State.
• It shall ensure that the majority of the beds are equipped with an Oxygen tank and sufficient numbers of beds are equipped with ventilators. If necessary, the number of ICUs in the hospitals should be increased.
• Make an endeavor to increase the CT scan machines available in the State. At least, every Government Hospital must be equipped with CT scan machines.
• Ensure that the PPE kits and other protective gears, such as gloves, masks, and sanitizer are provided to all the medical staff, especially to the Doctors, Nurses, Ward Boys to look after the COVID-19 patients.
• In case, it is found that any private hospital is over-charging the COVID-19 patients, and is violating the Government Order dated 02.09.2020, then strict action against the erring hospitals in accordance with law shall be taken.
• Immediately issue an SoP with regard to the opening of Char Dhams. The SoP must indicate the procedure for registration of the pilgrims, the number of pilgrims allowed to travel to the respective Dham,
• The State Government shall ensure that the SoP issued by the Central Government and the SoP issued by the State Government are strictly complied with by the pilgrims.
• The State Government is directed to procure and to distribute a sufficient number of anti-viral injection, namely 'Remdesivir', on war footing throughout the State.

Lastly, the Secretary, Medical Health and Family Welfare has been directed to submit a detailed report with regard to the implementation of the directions and he has also been directed to inform the Court about the steps taken in connection with the following issues:

• Increase in the number of 16 authorized laboratories/clinics/hospitals which are permitted to carry out the testing for COVID-19 virus.
• The number of tests being carried out in the big cities and the heavily populated districts of the State.
• Whether the State Government is planning to establish temporary hospitals or not
• The increase in the number of ICUs, increase in number of beds, and increase in the availability of protective gears such as PPE kits, masks, gloves, and the amount of sanitizers available in the major Government Hospitals of the State.
• Amount of anti-viral injection, namely 'Remdesivir', procured by the State Government, and about its distribution, and availability with the Government Hospitals.
• The number of CT scan machines which are being installed in the Government Hospitals
• The steps taken by the Department against the erring doctors who continue to indulge in private practice despite the fact that they are working for the Government Hospitals.

The matter has now been listed for further hearing on 10^th May 2021.

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