Lucknow/UNI: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday directed that the deployment of specialist doctors, functioning of medical equipment and proper availability of paramedical staff should be thoroughly scrutinized in all the hospitals under the Health Department or Medical Education Department.

Presiding over the meeting of Team-9 constituted for Covid management, Yogi said, "The situation in UP is normal amid the rising number of Covid cases in various countries. Over 9.06 lakh tests were done in the month of December, in which 103 cases were found to be positive.

"The positivity rate of the state was recorded at 0.01 per cent during this period. Presently, there are a total of 49 active cases in the state. Over 42,000 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. People should remain alert and careful."

He directed that the deployment of specialist doctors, functioning of medical equipment and proper availability of paramedical staff should be thoroughly scrutinized in all the hospitals.

"There should not be any shortage of any type, anywhere. Mock drills should be conducted by the hospitals at their level as well," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the changing trends of the virus should be closely monitored.

"Whatever shortcomings were detected in the mock drills in the past they should be rectified immediately. During the Covid period, the government had set up ICUs in every district, they should be kept functional.

"Availability of anesthetists, other specialist doctors and technicians in every ICU should be ensured. Three technicians should be deployed at the oxygen plant," he said.

He said that UP is leading in terms of Covid vaccination.

"Currently, more than 11 lakh doses are available in the state. Continuous contact should be maintained with the Government of India for adequate availability of the vaccines as per the demand.

"The usefulness of the vaccine in preventing Covid is evident. People should be made aware to take precautionary doses. The campaign should be expedited," he directed.

Yogi said that in the last two-and-a-half years of the Covid period, a large number of personnel were temporarily deployed to maintain the health services smoothly.

"They discharged their responsibilities in a commendable manner which is highly inspiring. This service period of these personnel should be counted in future appointments. Preference should be given to such personnel. Clear rules should be framed in this regard," he said.

He said that it is possible that there may be an increase in new cases in the next few days.

"Therefore, we have to be alert. This is not the time to panic, but to be alert and careful. Covid protocol has to be followed. Make people aware to wear face masks in public places. Activate the public address system," he said.

The Chief Minister said that continuous monitoring should be done of the new variant of Covid.

"Whatever new cases are found, genome sequencing should be done. Daily testing should be increased. People suffering from serious, incurable diseases and the elderly will have to take special precautions," he said.

He said that the payment of outstanding honorarium should be made immediately to all temporary and outsourcing personnel who served during Covid period.

"If the personnel have not been paid by the agency concerned even after payment from the government or the department, then taking cognizance of such cases the arrears should be paid. The honorarium is the right of the personnel after service, it should be paid on time," he said.