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Sandeep Rana
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 10
What Panchkula did in the congested Rajiv colony and Kharak Mangoli and Mohali in Jagatpura and Jawaharpur, Chandigarh did not do in the Bapu Dham Colony (BDC), which represents almost 63 percent of the total Covid cases reported from the city.
The lowest sampling in the tricity, without random sampling, without displacing the family and the close contacts of the patients to the quarantine centers and the lack of early intervention are the factors in which the UT lags behind its neighbors. .
Chandigarh has so far reported 174 cases, the highest in tricity, but tested at 2,142 people, the lowest in tricity. On the other hand, Panchkula, who saw the lowest number of cases (20) in tricity, has analyzed the maximum samples (2,600). Additionally, Mohali, where 98 cases have been reported, has tested 2,400 samples so far.
Waking up from his deep sleep, the UT Administration began rigorously sampling only after April 24, when Bapu Dham reported his first Covid case.
The UT has an estimated population of 14 lakh, Mohali 10 lakh and Panchkula 6.6 lakh.
In particular, the first Covid in tricity was reported from Chandigarh on March 18.
* There are no random tests in UT
Taking the lead, Panchkula has conducted up to 1,000 random tests. It started 15 days ago. Four positive cases were detected during randomized testing in vulnerable areas. Although Mohali is not going to take random samples across the district, he is doing so in affected areas and in corners of the flu. The Chandigarh authorities, however, “do not feel the need for random sampling.”
* Violations and non-transfer of patients to quarantine centers
On April 24, the first case of Covid was reported in the Bapu Dham colony. In fifteen days, the number of cases in the colony reached 110. The phenomenal increase in the count points to an early and not strict intervention by the UT authorities. Even when the area has been sealed, people here still roam around, throwing wedding anniversary parties and smoking hookah in groups.
It was only after more cases began arriving from the densely populated area that the Administration deployed CRPF personnel to the colony and even removed the chowki charge from the Bapu Dham colony. There used to be no proper police patrols.
Apparently, the Administration did not seriously reflect on the fact that around 52,000 people reside in some 2,500 small houses in the colony and domestic quarantine was impossible there. About 15-20 family members reside in a single house, a three-story building constructed in an area of 25-30 yards.
Although the UT Administration previously transferred some 60 people from the colony to a quarantine center in Sector 47, they were from the area outside the containment zone. The family or primary contacts of the positive patients were not transferred to quarantine centers unlike what the authorities in Panchkula and Mohali did.
Although the MC follow-up and quarantine team has quarantined 5,487 people, the effort does not appear to be complemented by UT’s level of health or management.
On the contrary, when a positive case was reported in the Rajiv colony, which is also congested, the authorities in Panchkula transferred the elderly, the diabetics and their families to a quarantine center. This was done to stop the spread of the community in the locality. Something similar was done in Kharak Mangoli.
Also in Mohali, when Jagatpura and Jawarhpur cases were reported, all who came into direct contact with the patients were transferred to quarantine centers and then had a Covid test.
What the tricity authorities say:
We are working according to the guidelines. There is no need or authorization for random sampling. When it comes to quarantine, we are evaluating people in the affected areas and then separating those who are negative and positive for Covid. Arun Gupta, Secretary of Health, Chandigarh
There is no sure formula for this. In addition to early surveillance, we have been doing active surveillance. We are doing random tests, which helped us detect four cases in the past few days. In congested areas where quarantine is not possible in homes, we transfer people to quarantine centers. Dr. Jasjeet Kaur, Civil Surgeon, Panchkula
We are following all government protocols and we are doing maximum sampling. We are also doing random tests in affected areas and corners of the flu. To contain the spread in congested areas like Jagatpura and Jawaharpur, we moved people to the quarantine center. Dr. Manjit Singh, Civil Surgeon, Mohali
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