DW BUREAU / Chandigarh From purchasing new ventilators to assigning ambulances for COVID-19 patients, the Haryana government has stepped up its efforts to deal with the coronavirus crisis. Steps have been taken to increase the strength of doctors and paramedical staff, ensure adequate supply of medicines, set up isolation beds and helpline numbers and rope in services of volunteers as part of the state's preparations to fight the deadly disease. Nineteen positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state so far - 10 in Gurgaon, four in Panipat, two in Faridabad and one each in Palwal, Panchkula and Sonipat. "The condition of all 19 patients is stated to be stable," Haryana's Health Minister Anil Vij said on Saturday. He said the state government is prepared to deal with any situation, while at the same time asserting that "things at present were under control". Vij said that in each district, separate ambulances are being assigned for transportation of suspected or confirmed positive cases. Besides, there is an availability of 722 ventilators in the state's government and private hospitals. Until a week ago, there were close to 180 ventilators in government facilities. Now, the state government has placed order for 300 more ventilators, the minister said. PGIMS Rohtak has been designated as tertiary care centre for treatment of critical suspects. Haryana also has 67 civil hospitals, five medical colleges, 11 urban health centres and 128 community health centres. As many as 2,500 beds are available in isolation wards, the government said. The Haryana dispensation on Wednesday had decided to extend the terms of government doctors and paramedical staff involved in essential services who were set to retire this month. Prior to this, the state government announced that it had sent appointment letters to 447 recently selected doctors. Approval has also been accorded for the appointment of trained personnel, including doctors and technical staff, for government and government-aided medical colleges across the state on contractual basis for a period of at least three months, Chief Secretary Keshni Anand Arora said. (editor@dailyworld.in)