Testing of all residents in 170 notified micro containment zones; identification, hospitalisation of persons with symptoms, co-morbidities for timely treatment to prevent mortality
Srinagar : The Srinagar administration is putting in place elaborate measures as part of the comprehensive new plan drawn for containment of growing cases of coronavirus infection n the district.
To start with it has identified around 170 localities spread over some two dozen areas where a cluster of 5 or more cases of COVID-19 have been reported and notified them as micro containment zones where all residents will be tested for coronavirus.
It is notable that this new micro containment plan for reducing spread of coronavirus infection comes in the wake of increasing number of positive cases in the district. The plan is aimed at ascertaining the exact spread of the virus and preventing it from spreading out of the affected areas through rigorous containment efforts involving testing of all residents within the notified containment zones and restrictions on movement in and out thereof until the affected residents test negative.
To ensure as-per-plan and successful execution of all measures devised under this micro containment plan a marathon meeting of all concerned departments and officials was held at the SKICC to sensitise them about the plan in general and their respective roles and responsibilities therein.
The special meeting was held in presence of the Director National Health Mission or NHM Jammu & Kashmir Dr Bhupinder Kumar and Divisional Officer NHM and Nodal Officer Testing Dr Jitender Mehta.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who chaired the meeting said this new plan for containment of coronavirus infection at the micro level is well thought out exhaustive adding however that there has to be thorough execution of all parts of the plan.
Giving details of the plan it was informed that localities where 5 or more COVID-19 positive cases have been or will be reported will be notified as micro containment zones where all residents of all households within a radius of 50-75 meters from the epicentre will be tested for coronavirus.
It was further informed that these micro containment zones will be closed at the perimeter and movement into and out of them will be restricted until their number of coronavirus positive cases go below 5.
The DC said that health teams will visit all notified containment zones and conduct coronavirus testing on designated dates adding that the method of testing to be used during the entire exercise will be the rapid antigen testing method which gives results on the spot.
Speaking on the occasion Director NHM Dr Bhupinder said as part of the plan all contacts of persons who would test positive during the exercise will also be tested for coronavirus. He said that those found symptomatic or with co-morbidities during this process will be shifted to hospital for monitoring or treatment as might be required.
He stressed the importance of continued efforts for as long as the virus exists. He also emphasised the efforts which help people break out of the stigma that has been associated with COVID-19 and talk about it openly in order to get the required medical attention on time.
Nodal Officer Testing NHM Dr Jitender Mehta while speaking on the occasion said that abundant testing rapid testing kits have been made available to the district health authorities for conducting coronavirus tests in all notified containment zones as well as offices in the district.
CMO Srinagar Dr Jehangir Bakshi who was also present briefed the meeting about the preparations the health department of the district is making in regard to this comprehensive new plan for containment of COVID-19 in the district. It should be noted that CMO Srinagar is supervising the entire COVID-19 surveillance and testing arrangements in offices and markets apart from notified residential areas being conducted as part of this new containment plan.
Senior officers and officials from all concerned departments including Health, Public Works Department, Revenue, Srinagar Municipal Corporation among others attended the meeting. ADCs and SDMs were also also present on the occasion—(KNO)
