Sikyong Penpa Tsering moved swiftly on Thursday, his first day in administration, taking a comprehensive review of the Covid-19 situation in the Tibetan communities in India and Nepal through a meeting with the CTA Covid-19 task force.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering had said in his inaugural address that tackling the Covid-19 pandemic in Tibetan Communities in India and Nepal would remain one of his top priorities on assuming office.

On Friday, Sikyong paid a visit to the three quarantine facilities in Dharamsala: Covid Care Centre at Nelenkhang, Upper TCV and the Covid-care centre in McLeod Ganj which jointly managed by the Settlement Office and Tibetan Youth Congress to boost the morale of the frontline workers.

He later presided over the inauguration of Delek hospital’s new ambulance and flagged off its maiden ride.

As of Thursday, the Tibetan community in India and Nepal reported 4385 cases, 2942 recoveries, 114 deaths and 1329 active cases.

Addressing the 61st Covid briefing, Dr Tsering Tsamchoe reported 372 new cases this week (M: 210 and F: 162), with the youngest being a 1-year-old baby and the eldest is aged 94). Unfortunately, the mortality count has risen to 13 this week.

Reviewing the task force’s Covid response, she updated the weekly quarantine status. Currently, 668 are at home quarantine and 643 at institutional quarantine, bringing the total to 1311.

Meanwhile, Health Department in joint initiative with Men-Tsee-Khang, dispensed Sorig immune boosters of 35,798 units.

The mental health committee has provided tele-counselling to 103 Covid-patients this week.

Mass testing has covered 2086 Tibetans this week across India and Nepal.

The vaccination drive has covered 17,409 Tibetans including 1333 frontline workers, 1874 comorbidities, 7790 elderlies above 60, 5532 above 45 and 880 above 18.

Dr Tsamchoe appealed to the public to continue to follow the precautionary measures. She likewise urged the public to register for vaccination and help those digitally illiterate to do so.

Dr Tenzin Tsundue encouraged people to come forward to test at the slightest appearance of symptoms without fear or stigma. He added that doing so would enable faster recovery if tested positive for Covid-19.
For those recovering from Covid-19, he advised a 3-month waiting period to get the first vaccination as advised by the Health Ministry, Government of India.