Total lockdown, doorstep delivery help Kurukshetra halt Covid in tracks

Nitish Sharma
Tribune News Service
Kurukshetra, April 21

Kurukshetra district was Covid-free till April 11 when two persons tested positive (one of whom belonged to Karnal), but no fresh case has been reported since. A slew of strict measures, including strict implementation of the lockdown from Day 1 and a watertight containment plan after two cases, proved effective.

Consecutive samples of both patients have already tested negative but they are in hospital and confirmatory tests will be done on April 22 and April 23 to decide their discharge date. The district put 2,349 people under surveillance of which only 74 were now in home quarantine. As many as 554 samples have been sent for testing so far, of which 492 returned negative, two positive and 60 results were awaited.

The district administration ensured doorstep delivery of essential goods on the doorstep and implemented Central and state government guidelines regarding shop timings to a tee. It took the help of NIC Kurukshetra to develop e-Market Kurukshetra app that has seen over 1,000 downloaded till Monday evening.

Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata said, “The lockdown is being implemented strictly from the first day. Home delivery of everyday essentials is being provided so residents don’t have to come out of their homes. So far, 40 commercial institutions and agro-based shops have sought permission for operations. Seven applications have been rejected and verification of 33 is under process. Wheat procurement has started at 188 purchase centres and medical teams have been deputed to screen every farmer who reaches the centre.”

State Transport Commissioner SS Phulia, who has been monitoring activities to stop the spread of Covid in Kurukshetra, said, “After the Covid cases were reported, containment and buffer zone plans were implemented and restrictions were imposed on public movement. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted and mobile health vans have been introduced in the district to provide doorstep health services. Strict action is being taken against lockdown violators, but at the same time we are trying to create awareness on the need to stay at home in the current times. All possible efforts are being made to ensure there are no more fresh Covid cases in Kurukshetra.”

As many as 108 cases have been registered against lockdown violators and 137 persons arrested. The police has impounded 123 vehicles and issued 5,747 challans.