Dept begins fresh survey to detect asymptomatic cases

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 10

As a preventive measure, the UT Health Department has started a fresh house-to-house survey in the city to detect asymptomatic Covid-19 cases.

During a review meeting, Dr G Dewan, Director, Health Services, UT, stated that as a first step, Sector 41 was being covered. “As many as 14 teams with doctors and paramedical staff will cover the entire sector comprising 5,000 household,” he said.

Health Department advisory

As a precautionary measure, the Health Department has issued an advisory that if a person has tested negative in reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, he or she may self-monitor his or her health for one more week. If any symptoms develop, he or she may report to a health facility. However, there is no need of specific home or institutional quarantine during this one-week period.

In the meeting, UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore expressed concern that several residents were not taking the threat of coronavirus seriously and were violating the guidelines. He stated that people must stay indoors and come out only when absolutely necessary. Residents must wear a face mask at public places and strictly follow social distancing norms. The Administrator warned that, if necessary, lockdown would again be imposed, especially on weekends, to contain the spread of virus.

The Administrator directed the Director General of Police to ensure that curfew from 10 pm to 5 am was strictly enforced. It was also directed that all vehicles found moving during the curfew hours would be seized, unless the driver was able to prove that it was on essential duty.

The Administrator directed Deputy Commissioner Mandip Singh Brar to enhance surprise checks in parks/places, markets, etc., to penalise persons not following social distancing norms or not wearing face masks.

The Administrator ordered that the PGI Director must hold a meeting immediately with the Director Health Services of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh to discuss and finalise a protocol for admission of patients coming from other states, particularly when facilities for treating such patients are locally available. The Administrator clarified that patients of any state of India could not be denied treatment at the PGI, being a premier Central institute of the Government of India.

A senior officer said the team would check residents with minor symptoms and motivate them to come forward for testing.