To be prepared is half the victory, and this is exactly what the Southern COVID-19 Task Force is doing in Phuentshogling. As the highly contagious Omicron variant is approaching nearer, the task force has started sensitizing the residents on the safety protocols again since Saturday.
Regional heads and managers of various offices are attending the session. They are being briefed on safety protocols, symptoms, mode of transmission, incubation period and the new variant of COVID-19 among others. The participants are expected to take the message to their staff and colleagues.
“I would now share whatever I learnt with my staff. Currently, Phuentshogling doesn’t have a single positive case from the community. I feel that we should collectively fight this virus and keep our town safe,” said Dawa, the Regional Manager of Bhutan Post in Phuentshogling.
“We have around 300 staff under BPC here in Phuentshogling. While rendering power services, we have to deal with people. So, should there be another lockdown like the last time, there will be inconveniences. So, in order to avoid such a situation, employees will be sensitized accordingly,” said Chhejay Wangdi, the Regional Manager of the Bhutan Power Corporation in Phuentshogling.
Though experts are yet to know the details of the Omicron variant, the Southern COVID-19 Task Force has already taken a step forward to sensitize the public. Since Phuentshogling has already experienced one of the longest lockdowns for nearly four months this year, the task force doesn’t want the people to face the same fate yet again.
“We are not sure whether current vaccines will be effective to this variant. In case, this new variant infects us, we should be prepared. Since India has already announced (23) positive cases of the Omicron variant. It won’t take much time for the virus to reach here. We organized this programme as a preparatory measure,” said Rixin Jamtsho, a member of the SC19TF.
The Southern COVID-19 Task Force, incident management team and Phuentshogling general hospital will be conducting the sensitization programme for a member from each family tomorrow.
Currently, it has been nearly four months since the town last detected a positive case for COVID-19 from the community. However, the threat of the virus still looms large because of its porous border. Today, there are 23 Omicron cases in India and two in Nepal.
Sonam Penjor, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sonam
