Surge in Gurugram, inept contact-tracing blamed

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, June 5

Inefficient contact-tracing and sketchy containment of affected areas have turned Gurugram into a Covid hotbed within days, with over 1,200 new cases being reported in the district in the past 10 days.

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Spike due to More tests

The increase in number of positive cases is due to higher testing, particularly after the opening of industries. — Rajeev Arora, Addl Chief Secy, Health

With 1,563 positive cases so far, as against 317 till May 27, residents fear the district is in the community spread phase.

While the health authorities are yet to ascertain the reason, people claim it is the result of tweaking of MHA and Health Ministry guidelines regarding isolation of suspected cases, setting up of containment zones and contact-tracing of positive cases.

Of the 2,602 tested after May 27, 1,200 have turned out positive, at a rate over 40 per cent. “One of the key reasons is the decision to send suspected cases back home rather than isolating them,” says a health official.

Delay in contact-tracing, especially of those testing positive at private labs, is another factor, say officials. Rajeev Arora, Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, says the rate looks higher as private labs haven’t shared details of those testing negative.

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