SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Twenty persons, including one attached to the Chimbel primary health centre (PHC), from Indiranagar area, tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.
As such the North District Magistrate declared Ward XI of the Indiranagar area as micro-containment zone and buffer zone.
Earlier a part of Indiranagar had already been declared a micro-containment zone, after the area reported over ten cases last week.
In an order issued, parts of Indiranagar comprising of house numbers 81, 36, 64, 64/1, 70, 105, 63, 94, 61, 65, 73, 54, 13 has been declared a micro containment zone, while H. No. 78/3, 1406, 15, 1153, 114, 48/1, 48, 133/2, 21, 57, 59, 58, 124, 123, 38, 40, 53, 53/A, 249, 37, 51, 125, 39, 125/1, 45, 52, 139, 59, 19, 129, 38, 133 as buffer zone.
Earlier, speaking to Herald, St Cruz MLA Antonio Fernandes had said that as part of the continuous testing drive, people from Ward XI were tested. “Total 20 samples tested positive,” he said. “All are asymptomatic and are accordingly shifted to COVID care centres,” he had added.
Fernandes had said he would recommend to the government to declare Ward XI as a micro-containment zone to avoid further spread. “Until the government order, we will barricade the area and restrict movement,” he had said.
The government has prepared an action plan which includes screening, testing of suspected cases, quarantine, isolation, social distancing and other public health measures in the containment zone.
A rapid response team has been deployed to initiate control measure by assessing the situation. Teams comprising of medical personnel, ANM for door-to-door thermal screening have been deployed by the PHC and will be supervised by a doctor.
Health check-up of sick persons will be carried out and positive cases will be shifted to Covid care centre or Covid hospital as required.
The entire area will be fully sanitised, movement of public is restricted. Demand of essential goods/commodities will be worked out and lists will be prepared.
Intensive surveillance mechanism as outlined in the standard operating protocol (SOP) issued by MoHFW is established within the zone.
Any violation will invite criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Indian Penal code, 1860.
Last week, 61 houses from Indiranagar had been declared a micro containment zone, while about 50 more houses came under a buffer zone. Last month, Xerent, Ward V in Chimbel was also declared a micro-containment zone, with 21 cases.
