Two ministers decide to get tested for Covid-19
LUCKNOW:Medical education minister Suresh Khanna and state labour welfare board chairman Sunil Bharala, whose post is akin to that of a minister of state, have decided to get themselves tested for Covid-19 two days after they visited the emergency ward of Meerut medical college where three patients were found infected with the coronavirus.
Meerut, with 473 cases and 30 deaths, is among the districts that have reported the maximum coronavirus positive cases across the state. “I am going to take medical advice. I am feeling fully fit, but to allay apprehensions I will get myself tested,” Khanna said.
Bharala said, “I would surely get tested, but the point is shouldn’t it be the responsibility of officers to forewarn us and ensure we were adequately prepared.”
Even as questions are being raised as to why officials allowed the ministers to visit the medical college on June 1 without personal protective equipment (PPE), medical college principal SK Garg claimed social distancing was ensured.
Khanna and Bharala had returned to Lucknow on a helicopter and continued with their official work. Khanna met delegations in his office while Bharala attended a meeting of the labour welfare board which was attended among others by principal secretary, labour, Suresh Chandra and other officials.
“I had gone to Meerut Medical College’s emergency wing to ensure that amid the focus on Covid-19 cases, there was no let-up in emergency services,” Khanna said, adding that he wore a face mask during his visit to the Meerut medical college’s emergency wing.
Khanna said he didn’t stay long in the hall where patients, who later tested positive, were kept. “I barely interacted with them and that too from a distance as the purpose was to ensure that emergency services remained fit,” he said.
MEERUT, WITH 473 CASES AND 30 DEATHS, IS AMONG THE DISTRICTS THAT HAVE REPORTED THE MAXIMUM POSITIVE CASES ACROSS THE STATE.