Team Herald
MARGAO: The Congress has come down heavily on the proposed survey for coronavirus infected people in the State and suggested that instead of a survey, community testing for the virus be done after providing all safety gears to the persons who will be visiting the households.
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South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha termed the proposed survey as “foolish” and wondered whether the people will divulge correct information and urged Goans to immediately visit a doctor if they get any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19.
“It would be better if the government repeats what was done in Bhilwadi in Rajasthan where a medical team visiting the households and tested the people,” Sardinha said pointing out that the disease can be treated in the initial stages.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, suggesting the same, pointed out that the medical fraternity and virology experts have emphasised that community testing is an effective way in controlling the spread of the disease.
He also demanded that the government come out with a report giving all details on the actual number of testing done in Goa and on the samples that were tested outside Goa along with its plan on its preparedness to take up community testing and whether the staffers are trained for such testing.
Kamat also said that the hospitals identified for quarantine should be equipped with necessary equipments like ventilators and also demanded to know the status of the South Goa District Hospital over which there have been conflicting statements from the authorities.
It may be recalled that Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar had on Tuesday demanded that the survey be undertaken only after the staff is provided with the safety gear and while condemning the government’s changing policy on the matter had said that community testing is “the need of the hour.”
As directed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the State government has decided to conduct a door to door survey to ascertain symptoms of influenza like illness (ILI).
The survey will be conducted by four member teams consisting of BLOs, Primary or Secondary School Teachers, Anganwadi Workers and Meter Readers or Gram Sewaks or Excise Guards.
The team will collect the data regarding any symptoms of ILI amongst any of the family members, using a mobile app that will also geo-tag each location.
The team members will be provided with masks and sanitizers by the Directorate of Health Services and will be trained on the survey modalities and safety protocol to be maintained during the survey.
The panchayat secretaries, talathis and ward members will supervise the functioning of the teams at the field level and report to the 17 Incident Commanders, who will be coordinating at the taluka level.
The survey will be conducted under the overall guidance and control of the District Collectors.
