Early, aggressive Covid-battling strategy gave Gurugram edge

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, April 9

Millennium City Gurugram may be second in the state with 32 Covid cases after Nuh (38), but it also tops the recoveries chart with 12 successfully treated patients. The otherwise chaotic city of the NCR has waged a successful battle to keep infections in check and contain cluster transmission so far, despite its high-risk status.

Of its positive cases, 18 were local residents with history of foreign travel or were primary contacts of positive patients, 12 were Jamaatis from UP and Himachal, while the remaining two are a father-son doctor duo of Agra that came to a private city hospital after showing Covid symptoms.

Ever since the Covid outbreak in China, Gurugram was categorised as most vulnerable owing to various factors. The city has a large number of MNCs with foreign nationals, including visiting Chinese nationals. It has the highest density of foreign nationals per kilometre km and migrants, which make it a hotspot of mass community transmission of any disease.

According to the administration, what helped keep things under control was an early and aggressive Covid-battling strategy. It was on March 5 that 14 Italian tourists, all senior citizens, were brought to Medanta Hospital after contracting Covid. A day later, a Paytm employee who lives in Delhi tested positive, creating panic and sending alarm bells ringing. District authorities swung into action and ordered all companies to ensure maximum employees worked from home and ensured intensive sanitisation.

In fact, Gurugram was first district in the NCR that made work from home compulsory. Within two days, all multiplexes, gyms, spas, restaurants and even malls were shut. As many as 5,000 persons returning from abroad were quarantined. The district administration and Municipal Corporation too shifted to the work-from-home model and all public interactions were cancelled.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, residents began stocking up and even hoarding medicines, groceries and even liquor. By the time the Prime Minister announced the Janata Curfew of March 22, the city was prepared for a lockdown. It may not be an exaggeration to say Gurugram has given lessons in lockdown implementation to the NCR. Full marks to the Gurugram Police for keeping people and vehicles off roads, but the drive could not have been as success without the role played by local resident associations, societies and even individuals.

The district effectively checked the migrant exodus by implementing ‘None goes hungry’ strategy. Over 1 lakh people are being fed daily across the city and being provided medical care, ration and rent-free accommodation. The city has already implemented a special containment plan to survey and screen every resident at his doorstep.

Key Challenge
Non-disclosure of symptoms by residents, Jamaatis

Health assets
2,500

Govt health officials (including doctors, paramedics)
1,500

Pvt health officials
315 ventilators

126 bed govt Covid hospital
500 bed Medeor Hospital in Manesar designated Covid hospital

25% beds reserved for Covid patients in pvt hospitals

Total cases reported 32

Discharged 12 Active 20
Jamaatis 12 Critical 0