Of 1,187 quarantined in Punjab, only 115 persons tested

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 18

In spite of an advisory by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ramp up the testing of suspected Covid patients to mitigate its spread, the state government has tested only 115 out of 1,187 persons quarantined so far.

Of the quarantined persons, 14 are in hospitals while the rest are under self-isolation in their homes.

Health experts say community spread cannot be checked without aggressive testing. The best strategy to contain the spread of the virus is rapid testing and immediate isolation of infected patients.

The Health Department, however, say the state has not reached a stage where rapid testing was required. So far, only one positive case has been reported in the state and there is “no sign” of community transmission, it says.

Nodal officer Gagan Grover, who is heading the state’s coronavirus programme, said: “The time has not come to increase the sampling. We have only one positive case so far. We don’t have community transmission yet. However, we are closely monitoring the situation.”

Another official said it was an early stage for aggressive testing given the cost of the Covid test, which costs around Rs50,000.

Health experts praised the state government for taking pro-active in taking precautionary measures in response to the Covid threat. Apart from closing educational institutions, malls, swimming pools and cinema halls, experts hailed the government for sanitising ASHA workers, the foot soldiers.

A nodal officer said, “Social distancing is the main precaution. Like other countries, if we too exercise caution, we can quell the spread of Covid. The people need to cooperate. In case of fever, cough or cold, one should immediately rush to nearby hospital. This way, we can battle the deadly disease.”

SGPC steps up precautionary measures at Golden Temple

• Amritsar: The SGPC on Wednesday reduced the water level in the “sarovar” at the Golden Temple so that it becomes easy to maintain constant water circulation. This step has been taken in view of large number of devotees taking a dip in the ‘sarovar’ in spite of Covid threat. Health experts say taking a dip in the “sarovar” should be avoided.
• Meanwhile, the thermal screening of devotees started on Wednesday. District Pharmacy Officer RK Devgan said, “The body temperature of devotees is checked through a thermo gun. If it is between 34 and 40 degree Fahrenheit, the person would be immediately recommended for further medical treatment.” TNS

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