Shillong, May 22: The state government has announced the setting up of war rooms in the different districts and block headquarters for effectively tackling the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have created a war room and a dedicated helpline not only in DC office but in all block headquarters across the state so that we can win this battle against COVID-19,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Friday.

He said “Any time if people have any symptoms or if they have any problem they can call this number and we already have a dedicated team of doctors and nurses who will ultimately respond to those calls.”

The decision was taken after people with mild symptoms have failed to come forward for testing making it difficult for the state government and health authorities to contain the spread of the COVID-19 in the state.

“The positive cases have not come down yet and the problem was that most of the individuals who have mild symptoms don’t want to come forward for testing,” he said.

Appealing to citizens to join hand with the government in its battle against the pandemic, Tynsong said now the fight against the coronavirus ultimately goes down to each and every citizen of the state.

“We request the citizens that if you have any mild symptoms kindly immediately isolate yourselves and inform the dedicated helpline so that team of health workers will reach your place and if they don’t come, please go to the nearest CHCs or PHCs and get yourselves tested,” he said.

Asked if the total lockdown is not helping in curbing the spread of the virus, Tynsong said, “How do you know it does not help? See we already told containment strategy is very important besides following protocols strictly…”

“Vaccination is very important. Of course, we do have a little bit of crisis as availability of vaccine is yet to be in place, otherwise, I am telling you the last option is we need to get ourselves vaccinated,” he added.

On the issue of depression among the people who tested positive for COVID-19, Tynsong said, “People should realize that the disease is curable and that they should have a fighting spirit against this virus. They should not surrender but should look at the recovery rate which is good in our state.”

He however said to address this concern, the government has decided to advice the hospitals to make positive patients stay together so that they do not feel depressed.