Daily COVID-19 Tests To Be Increased To 1400 In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: With the COVID-19 positive cases soaring to 1828 in Bhubaneswar, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to increase the number of tests per day.

Briefing the media on Saturday, Principal Secretary, Woman & Child Development and Mission Shakti and Bhubaneswar COVID observer Anu Garg said the present number of 1000 daily tests in Bhubaneswar will be increased to 1400.

In order to reduce the response time in testing, she said the number of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) will be increased to 15 with 5 teams in each of the three zones from the existing nine teams.

Referring to the monitoring of the pandemic in 67 wards of the city, she said that each ward has a Sachetak committee comprising 20-25 members including the volunteers. “I have spoken to the members of these committees who are really motivated. We will share their contact numbers with the people and also put those in each ward office,” she said.

“Besides, we will upload their number on MOBHUBANESWAR portal www.bhubaneswar.me and the BMC portal www.bmc.gov.in so that the people and the committee members will contact each other. The committee members will apprise the people of the latest COVID-19 status. The committee members will take the feedback of the people and submit it to the BMC,” she added.

Stating that BMC is conducting active surveillance in the slum areas, Garg said there is no provision of home quarantine for the slum dwellers.

For the elderly and comorbid people, the government has launched Sachetak App through which they can know the COVID-19 situation in their wards, the doctors residing in their areas with their contact numbers and fresh notification issued by the government on the disease from time to time. Besides, they can give their feedback through this app.

Garg also said that those, who have not undergone the test but are suspects and need to be kept separately, will be accommodated in the COVID Care Homes. At present, BMC has six COVID Care Homes. However, those, who are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms, are allowed to stay in home isolation.

About the number of beds in the COVID hospitals, she said that efforts are on to increase it by 1500 more in Bhubaneswar.

She also said that apart from the call centre number 104, the BMC has another number 1929 which will be used for psycho-social counselling of the people. Two clinical psychologists and a psycho-social worker have been brought on deputation for the purpose. Those who want counselling can contact them. Besides, three psychiatrists will interact with the patients suo motu.

She also urged the people to respect the lockdown guidelines in letter and spirit and inform the BMC if they have any such symptoms.

Also Read: Most COVID-19 Positive Cases From Non-Slum Areas In Bhubaneswar: BMC Commissioner