Sikkim Airlifts Medical Equipment of PPE Kits, N95 Masks & Others to Fight COVID-19

Gangtok, April 4, 2020:

Sikkim on Saturday received a medical equipment comprising 5098 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, 10000 N95 masks, 2.24 lakh masks, 300 disposable gowns and 30,000 VTM kits.

The medical equipment was airlifted and brought to Libing Army helipad near Gangtok. This is the first air shipment of medical equipment to Sikkim so far.

The medical consignment also includes sample collection kits, sanitisers, masks, gloves and disinfectants, for Sikkim. It was informed by Principal Secretary K Sreenivasulu today at a presser. He also informed that in total, 37 samples, which were sent from the State had resulted negative.

The Principal Secretary also shared that with these medical supplies, Sikkim is ready to  tackle COVID-19.

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Earlier, the NEC had sanctioned Rs 25 crore to Northeastern states for gap funding to fight the COVID-19 outbreak effectively. Of this, Sikkim has received 1.75 crore, which can be utilised on any activity relating to COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is in addition to the funds otherwise allocated by the Ministry of DoNER/NEC to the State under the existing schemes.

It may be mentioned here that Sikkim has not yet reported any positive case of COVID-19 so far. The State has also received reports of a few citizens participating in the Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz. However, none has come forward for a test.

Sikkim authorities on Thursday appealed to the members of the Muslim community to cooperate with the Government and inform if anyone had visited the Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi or had a travel history to the national capital.

A team of the Sikkim administration, led by Additional District Collectorate, Anaanth Jain, on Thursday visited the areas of the Muslim belt in Gangtok and said, “We appeal you to kindly cooperate with us by coming forward and informing us about your latest travel history if there is any.”

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The team of Police personnel and other Government officials used loudspeakers to spread the message among the people and requested them to furnish the information since it was regarding the coronavirus and the process was part of the process the control the pandemic.

It may be mentioned here that the Delhi-based headquarter of Tablighi Jamaat, an evangelical Muslim sect, in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area has emerged as the new hotspot for coronavirus infection, thereby posing as a threat across the country.

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