Jammu, May 10: Principal & Dean Government Medical College Jammu and Associated Hospitals, Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma Monday underlined the importance of adopting COVID appropriate behaviour which she said is only way to prevent the virus from mutating further.  

 “The virus is mutating at a rapid rate due to availability of a large number of hosts. Only by putting an end to further spread of the infection, we can easily prevent its mutations,” she said.

Dr Shashi also expressed concern over the high positivity rate during testing. “We need to avoid public gatherings, and strictly adhere to set guidelines for saving oneself as well as saving the lives of our loved ones.”

“It is high time to take up the challenge and adopt COVID appropriate behaviour, which includes wearing face mask in public, frequently washing hands and maintaining social distance,” she said.

She urged the public to cooperate with the health system amidst the rising challenge of COVID-19.

“The pandemic has come as an unprecedented and unforeseen challenge for all of us and especially the health fraternity. The prime need is to build trust between the public and the health system,” she said.

With the number of COVID-19 patients increasing, the administration is also ramping up facilities, equipment, infrastructure besides increasing the number of frontline workers, the Principal GMC said.

“Our health workers are working round-the-clock and we are trying our best to serve the public.

“The challenge before us is huge which can only be met when public and the health personnel work together,” she added.

The GMC Principal expressed empathy for the patients and their families facing hardship and said that the Jammu Medical College Hospital has increased the number of critical care beds and is treating more than 700 critical COVID patients.

 Patients with mild and moderate symptoms are being looked after at COVID health and care centres.

She called upon the public to take COVID vaccine according to age group. “We won’t be able to keep up in our fight against the virus without public cooperation. People need to go for vaccination and take precautions, which is the only way we can defeat the pandemic,” she added.

With faith on the system, and self-discipline, we shall overcome this adversity, Dr Shashi said.

Meanwhile, the health department is operating a 24x7 helpline number 0191 2571616 for all COVID-related queries.

The general public can also call divisional control room at 0191-2520982, 2549676, 2674444, 2674115, 2674908, a statement of the department said.