Drones used to warn people against going outside in Faridkot

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, April 6

As a Covid case has triggered panic in Faridkot and over 180 persons of Harindra Nagar, residential locality of the patient, have been quarantined, the police have started using drones to warn people against going out of their homes.

The drones, which are being used to ensure the effective enforcement of the quarantine and restrain the movement of the people, hovering above Harindra Nagar here on Monday asked people to stay indoors.

“We have been asking people to stay indoors, particularly in Harindra Nagar, but many people still roam outside. Now with the help of drones, we want to give a message to the defiant that we are watching them and they will be prosecuted for violating the curfew and quarantine protocol. We are forced to use drones after many persons were not cooperating with us in dealing with the situation. The drones are used to monitor and force the people to adhere to their quarantine norms,” said a senior official. “The police have put barricades on all 10 entry and exit points of Harindra Nagar. Besides, we are keeping a watch on any person strolling around his or her house. No social gathering is allowed at this crucial point of time,” said the officer.

“As every seasonal influenza or flue is triggering panic of coronavirus among people, the Health Department has set up a special ward at the Civil Hospital here for persons complaining of flu symptoms. As every symptom such as fever, dry cough and tiredness are similar for both coronavirus and influenza. The only way to know the cause of the infection is the laboratory test of throat swab. So, we have set up the special ward to attend particularly the patients with flu symptoms. Testing is not recommended for all patients because most of the cases are mild,” said Dr Rajinder Kumar, Civil Surgeon, Faridkot.