West Bengal govt adopts containment strategies for COVID-19 'high-risk' spots

(Eds: Recasting overnight story)

Kolkata, Apr 15 () The West Bengal healthdepartment has adopted a slew of containment strategies forCOVID-19 "high-risk spots" in the state, without naming them.

The multipronged strategies will help break the chainof virus transmission, according to the order issued by thedepartment.

"An analysis of the available data reveals that somegeographical areas in the state show a higher number ofCOVID-19 infected persons. As a significant number of thesecases can be traced to a few pockets, settlements andfamilies, it calls for heightened vigilance and preventivesteps," the department stated.

The order also emphasised on the need for earlydetection of cases by tracing and tracking primary andsecondary contacts of those that have contracted the disease.

"Aggressive listing, tracing and tracking of allprimary and secondary contacts will be undertaken with utmostpromptness. Asymptomatic, low-risk and secondary contacts willbe placed under home quarantine and thereafter closelymonitored for symptoms," it said.

For urban areas, the department noted, teamsconstituted for dengue surveillance may be roped in for thispurpose, too, following their orientation in this regard.

"They (teams for dengue surveillance) have to be onthe lookout for persons with symptoms of influenza, includingfever, sore throat, cough and runny nose or symptomsrespiratory distress, in any form," it stated, adding thatsurveillance will be enhanced with the help of municipalhealth staffers and ASHA workers.

Personnel deployed for house-to-house survey will haveto wear masks, gloves and any other protective gear deemed fitby authorities, depending upon the perceived threat ofexposure, the department explained.

"Households, hospital wards and localities will bedisinfected hypochlorite solution with the help of localbodies," it added.

West Bengal has reported 147 COVID-19 cases so far,according to the state government. Of them seven havesuccumbed to the disease. SCH RMSBDC BDC