19 foreign returned under watch in Shimla district

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 22

As many as 19 persons, who came to Shimla district from foreign countries on March 20, are under surveillance.

The district administration has received a list of 55 passengers, including 54 Indians and a foreigner, out of which 19 are from Shimla district, who have returned from Covid-affected countries.

The list was sent to all District Magistrates by the Additional Chief Secretary with directions to get these persons medically examined and screened; and take action as per the guidelines issued by the government. Out of 19 persons, 12 are men and seven women.

“The list of passengers hailing from Shimla has been sent to the Chief Medical Officer and surveillance officer along with their addresses for necessary action,” said Shimla DC Amit Kashyap, adding that all these passengers had arrived on March 20.

Surveillance teams at the block level have been told to check these people for symptoms and examine them in hospital if need be. “A patient showing symptoms will be put in isolation at the IGMC, while others will be directed to home quarantine themselves,” he added.

There is no history or account of passengers, who arrived in the last 15 days, and tracking them is a big challenge. “The onus to report about the travel history will be on the person concerned, who will report about his/her return to the District Surveillance Officer, Chief Medical Officer, SHOs and Block Medical Officers as per the mandatory provision made under Section 34 of National Disaster Management Act, 2005,” he added.

“They will have to self-quarantine for 28 days. Anybody not reporting about his/her return from a foreign country is liable to be criminally prosecuted,” said Kashyap. He added that residents could also share information regarding suspected cases on 1077.

“If 19 persons arrived in Shimla district on a single day, how many persons might have come during the past 15 days. We are hopeful that all such persons will abide by the directions and voluntary report to the officials concerned,” he said.