Keeping in view the growing positive cases in the state the National health mission has issued an advisory to all health department including all DHS/CMOs and principals of medical colleges, about measures to be taken in clusters where large numbers of cases have been reported in the past few days.
As per the guidelines issued by Additional Chief secretary RD Dhiman first demarcation of areas for inclusion in cluster containment is to be done. The containment zones will be defined on the basis of ‘designated epicenter’, Listing and mapping of contacts, Geographical distribution of cases and contacts around epicenter and administrative boundaries within urban cities/town/rural areas. However the cluster containment is to be divided into perimeter and buffer zones.
Second is ‘Geographic quarantine strategy. “It calls for near absolute interruption of movement of people to and fro from this perimeter,” states the order. Adding, “All vehicle movement (Public and personal) will be stopped. All roads including rural roads connecting the containment zone to be guarded by police,” informed the advisory. No unchecked outward movement of population from containment zone except for maintaining essential service or medical emergency, states advisory.
Thirdly all entering such geographically quarantined zone to be suitably medicated as per ICMR guidelines. Also all contacts in clusters to be provided with hydroxycloroquine as per guidlines. Four all vehicles entering the perimeter shall be decontaminated with Soduim hypochlorite (1%) solution.
Five it shall be mandatory for all persons residing in containment zone to wear face cover. Six door to door deliveries of essential supplies will be ensured. The circular further states ‘Active surveillance’ of containment zone and ‘passive surveillance’ in buffer zone shall be carried out by health workers. Also all symptomatic persons in these zones shall be tested for COVID-19.
“A dedicated mobile fever clinic must be established for the containment zone,” reads the advisory.
As per guidelines these measures shall remain in force for a period of two weeks at least, from the detection of last positive case in containment zone.
