IMCT writes to Bengal Chief Secretary regarding assessment to contain COVID-19

Amid ongoing tussle between Mamata Banerjee government and Centre, Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has written a letter to State Chief Secretary Rajiv Sinha requesting a detailed presentation from health department to asses containment of vel Coronavirus outbreak in hotspot zones of State. Centre had deployed team on Monday to assess ground situation in four districts — Kolkata, 24 rth Parganas, Howrah and Midnapore East.

letter ackwledged that State government has w decided to extend full cooperation to IMCT and so would request a detailed presentation from Health Department on following aspects:

• Wher level of testing (for COVID-19) in State is adequate
• Wher testing facilities available are being used in full
• protocol adopted for testing and level at which a COVID test is approved
• Availability of safety equipment like PPE and mask and distribution to health professionals in COVID and n-COVID hospitals
• Availability of oxygen beds, ICU beds, oxygen supplies and ventilators
• number of surveillance teams and number of persons surveyed per day in hospitals and containment zones
• system of COVID care centres/hospitals in four districts
• Instances of COVID infections among health workers and protective measures in that regard
• System of approval of a declaration of cause of death for COVID-19 patients by a committee of doctors at State level

READ | Mamata Visits Several Kolkata Localities On Second Consecutive

Additional information

IMCT has also sought information of arrangements for identifying and quarantining people in such centres, supply of essential commodities, condition of relief camps enforcement of lockdown procedures and social distancing. team has also asked government to tell m about problems faced in implementation of lockdown rms, availability of testing kits and or things that require Centre's help.

READ | Mamata Banerjee Pins Blame On Centre For Low Testing; Says 'kits Sent To Bengal Defective'

Visit sites

" IMCT would like to visit some of hospitals, quarantine centres, hotspots and market places during opening hours... and directly interact with health professionals, inmates and general public," letter said.  IMTC has asked to be accompanied by health and local authorities instead of just police officers.

READ | Mamata Govt Finally Permits Central Team To Commence Covid work; Shoots Letter To Centre

Centre vs Mamata

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier claimed she was kept in "dark" about visit of central teams to assess COVID-19 situation.  Centre on Monday has constituted six Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to make an on-spot assessment of COVID-19 situation in hotspots and issue necessary directions to four states, including Bengal. That irked Mamata government which saw it as an unwarranted intervention in State's efforts. Bengal government finally allowed team to operate in Kolkata, despite strong reservations.

(PTI Photo of Rajiv Sinha)

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