Gangtok, June 06 : A high-level meeting was held at Samman Bhawan today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang to review the Covid-19 management in the State, and to decide the future course of action.
The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Mayor & Deputy Mayor GMC, Advisors, Chief Secretary, DGP, ACS, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Political Secretary to CM, senior officers of the Government and officers of the Covid-19 Management Group.
Chief Secretary S.C Gupta in his opening remarks stated that there has been marked improvement in the Covid-19 situation in the State, considering that the positivity rate has come down, mainly because the number of tests has increased. Cases have not drastically gone up, and the situation is stable. The measures taken by the State in the past two months have been effective to a great extent. He said that the State should still tread with caution.
DG-cum-Secretary, Health, Dr. Pempa T. Bhutia briefed the house that the positivity rate has reduced remarkably, and recovery rate has improved significantly. He presented the comparative report of Covid cases in the past one month. He also informed about the status of Oxygen and other vital equipment in all the health facilities. He also informed about the availability of medicines.
Director, RCH, cum State Immunization Officer, Dr. Phumzay Denzongpa informed about the status of vaccination and the strategy in place to vaccinate the target age group. 
Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr. K.B. Gurung briefed about the overall status of Covid-19 management in the Hospital. He informed that the civil work for installation of oxygen plant is on the verge of completion.
Member of Covid-19 Management Group and General Manager, Transport, Karma Namgyal Bhutia presented the current status of availability of oxygen in the State, and the progress report of the installation of the oxygen plants.
Principal Secretary, RDD, C.S. Rao presented a brief status report of Covid Care Centres and the distribution of Covid Care Kit and essential items to people under home isolation in rural parts of the State. He informed that the people are being made aware through continuous miking.
District Collector, East, Ragul K. suggested for setting up of paediatric ICU facilities to cater to children who are contracting Covid-19. He informed that, at present, most of the children are found to be asymptomatic, and under home isolation. He also gave a brief report of the Covid Care Centres.
Special DGP, Law & Order, Akshay Sachdeva informed about law enforcement throughout the State.
DGP, S.D. Negi suggested for intensifying institutional care to ensure that the virus is contained, especially for people who live in crowded settlements.
Secretary, Labour Department, Ms. Namrata Thapa informed that a good progress has been made regarding registration of individual labours living within the urban areas. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor, GMC, are closely monitoring the progress, it was informed. The Secretary also presented a brief report on the Advisory and other instructions issued by the Labour Department and the status of compliance by the pharmaceutical companies.
Secretary, UD&HD Ms. Sarala Rai gave a brief status report of distribution of essentials to the urban poor.
Media Advisor to CM, Shri C.P. Sharma lauded the effort of all the functionaries for effective handling of the pandemic. He suggested that emphasis should also be laid on management of non-Covid diseases.
After taking detailed stock of all aspects of Covid-19 management in the State, Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang shared that Sikkim has secured the fourth position in the Sustainable Development Index devised by Niti Aayog at the national level and 1st position in the North East. He congratulated the entire Government machinery for the achievement.
After detailed deliberation, the following broad decisions were announced by the Chief Minister:
1. 65,000 people in the age group of 18 to 44 years will be vaccinated in the month of June, 2021. The vaccination process will commence at the earliest at designated health facilities throughout the State.
2. The State-wide lockdown will be extended till 5am of 14th June, 2021, with certain relaxations.
3. All heads of Departments should devise a mechanism of functioning with 30% attendance in all Government offices.
4. The time of opening of ration shops and vegetable shops will now be from 7am to 2pm.
5. A decision was taken to give permission for hardware shops to be opened from 7am to 2pm.
6. A core team to be made ready for treatment of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus.
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High-Level meeting held under chairmanship of CM Tamang, lockdown extended with more relaxation
