Coronavirus Returns To Himachal Pradesh With Migrant Workers

Shimla: Just when the Himachal Pradesh government thought it had managed to contain the deadly coronavirus in the state with no new cases over the last few weeks; the state witnessed a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, after the arrival of stranded people from red zones including Delhi and other parts of the nation.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 5 new cases have been reported. As of now, the total number of corona cases is 55 with 14 active cases, out of which 39 have recovered and 2 died.

A 19-year-old young girl in Tanda Medical College and three persons in Chamba district have been found positive. Initially, it was learnt that these three had come in contact with a COVID-19 positive truck driver who had returned from Baddi. According to reports, the trio had a party with the driver. 

The samples of these three people were taken by the health workers after the truck driver, who tested positive on May 8, informed that he had interacted with them. 

Chamba CMO Dr. Rajesh Guler told The Tribune, “All three persons were asymptomatic. Their samples were taken just because they were in direct contact with a corona-positive patient. Earlier, a two-year-old daughter of the driver had also tested positive. With these three cases, the total cases in Chamba district have risen to 12, including six active cases.”

On Sunday late night, addressing the citizens, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur said, “Obviously, all of you will be curious to know the current situation of COVID-19 in HP and what steps are being and will be undertaken by the government. Till now, there have been 54 cases of COVID-19, which are positive, out of which 13 are receiving treatment in hospitals. Many people are stuck in other states and want to come back back to Himachal for which we are prepared and have resources available. Obviously, we were suspicious that the people stuck in other states might bring coronavirus with them. And that happened. After May 1, most of the cases are of those who came from other states. They can come to Himachal but abide by the quarantine rules strictly.”  

Himachal Pradesh is ranked 24 in terms of the number of cases among all states and union territories in the country. A week ago, the state was on the verge of being corona free because of its unique and promising policies and strategies. There are no red zones in the entire state and it is mostly in green zones with a very few orange ones. Some of the orange zone districts are on the verge of declaring zero COVID-19 patients.

The HP government has ensured mandatory 14 days institutional quarantine for the people coming back from other states. Also, those who are travelling into the state via private vehicles (using movement pass by the HP government) are asked to self- quarantine at home for 28 days. The same goes for inter-district movement but with a decreased duration of 14 days. Local authorities are providing necessary ration to home as well as institutionalised people.

Nishant, a resident of Panchkula, Haryana said, “I came to Himachal a week ago and the personal information that I provided at the border was sent to the local hospitals and police stations. I have been put under 28-day home quarantine. Since then, I have received calls from the police, advising me to stay within the premises of my own house. ASHA workers also call and visit me frequently.”

Sunita, an ASHA worker said, “The government has ordered us to collect samples and perform the medical test of all the people coming from red zones. We perform weekly rounds to check whether all the home quarantined people are abiding with the guidelines set for isolation. We are taking all the precautions while collecting samples and getting them back to the hospital.”