Fighting Covid-19: Drive to take samples of high-risk cases

The district administration has decided to start collecting samples of high-risk cases in the next four-five days. East Singhbhum district epidemiologist Dr M Asad said that based on contact tracing of all the four positive patients they will start the initiative.

“As per Health Ministry guidelines we have to take throat and nasal swab samples of high risk cases after contact tracing of all the positive  cases between four and five days of detection of the case. The swabs will be sent for a confirmatory test to either MGM Medical College or TMH,” said Dr Asad.

A special cell of the police and surveillance team of the district administration have started contact tracing for high risk that have been kept in the quarantine centres.  Administration has completed house-to-house survey of the four containment zones, two each in Baridih and Sidhgora area, and also completed contact tracing of the four Covid-19 positive patients, all of whom are admitted in Tata Main Hospital’s Covid ward.

Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) special officer, Krishna Kumar who is in-charge of the control room for the four containment zones said that survey was held in over 300 houses.

“We have completed house-to-house survey in over 300 houses falling in the containment zones at Baridih and Sidhgora by a surveillance team comprising officials from health and civic bodies. The sealing in the containment zones will be held for a period of 14 days from Sunday and during which all movement will be prohibited and food and essentials would be provided by volunteers at the doorstep of the houses. One can contact the control room to get essentials delivered at doorstep or for medical emergencies,” said Krishna Kumar. Buffer zones have been set up along both sides of each of the containment zones.

Incidentally, East Singhbhum district witnessed four Covid-19 positive cases on Sunday, two persons from Baridih- a girl student from Bidyapati Nagar having travel history from Kolkata while another girl from Lohiya Path who had come from Ranchi, both in home quarantine had their samples turning positive and were shifted to Tata Main Hospital. While two more from nearby Sidhgora- a youth who had come from Kolkata and a JAP constable who had returned from Bhabua in Bihar, also had their report positive.

Most of the cases reported in Kolhan Division are that of migrant labourers. The administration has asked the authorities to ensure strict screening of the people coming back to the city. Special focus is being laid on the screening. The administration has also set a screening centre at Loyola School where the swab is being collected from those suspects returning back to the city.

The administration has formed teams at block-level and also in three civic bodies of Jamshedpur, Jugsalai and Mango for strict vigil on suspected cases.