The Punjab government deputed IAS and IFS officers as COVID Patient Tracking Officers (CPTOs) amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state. Punjab Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan said the state government has designated these officers as CPTOs to ensure coordination and expeditious response at district level by tracking patients from the time they test positive till the completion of their treatment.

These officers will perform their role as CTPOs in addition to their current duties and will report to the deputy commissioners concerned. The CPTOs should ensure that they receive details of each COVID patient as soon as the result is declared by the lab, the Chief Secretary said, adding that they should also follow up with the labs to ensure that there is no undue delay in sharing of the results.

The CPTOs shall ensure that each positive patient is brought to the nearest health facility so that their medical condition can be assessed and the future course of treatment finalized.

Mahajan said the CPTOs will be authorised to exercise their judgment and incur any expenditure required to save lives in consultation with deputy commissioners.

The CPTOs should have a full list of availability of beds and ventilators in COVID Care Centres, and government and private hospitals. They should also have details of ambulance service providers, she said.