After confirmation of first positive case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Chandigarh, the UT Administration on Thursday swung into action announcing stamping of suspect cases, sanitization of public places, curtailing OPD services among other measures.
A 23-year-old woman, who returned from London, has been tested positive for the novel Coronavirus, the first confirmed case of the deadly infection in the union territory. The woman, a resident of Sector 21, was tested positive at the testing centre at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), said UT Adviser Manoj Parida on Thursday.
Her family members including father, mother, brother and driver, cook have also been sampled for COVID 19 on Thursday and the test report was awaited.
Parida said that her condition is stated to be stable now. The Health Department has begun tracing people who came in contact with her when she came back to the city on Sunday. Her family members, driver, maid among others have been put under home quarantine.
The Administration, meanwhile has decided to put a stamp on the back of the left palm of all suspected individuals, with the date of isolation, who are asked to be home quarantined. The same practice which is being followed in Maharashtra (Mumbai International Airport) is aimed at combating the possible spread of the virus from the suspected individuals and prevent them from further risking others.
The Administration also announced to close all sports coaching centres and sports academics (government and private) for trainee, members and public till March 31 with immediate effect.
On tracing the people that came into contact with the positive Coronavirus case, UT Adviser said that the concerned officers have been asked to trace the people that came in contact with her after she returned from England on Sunday.
After her return at Amritsar International Airport, the lady was instructed for home quarantine. She was at home but developed symptoms and hence reported at GMCH-32, where she has been quarantined after being tested positive, Parida said.
On a question whether private labs will be allowed for testing, he said that PGIMER, a tertiary care centre is already doing testing for the disease and if required, we will approach the Union Ministry to allow other centres for testing.
The Administration has began sanitization of public markets, buildings, buses and spraying of hypochlorite solution as disinfectant. Teams have been formed to undertake the sanitization process.
On gathering of staff at offices, Parida said that private sector has been requested to allow their staff to work from home but no mandatory orders have been issued in this regard.
About Grain Market, Sector 26, he said that the market will be spread out to empty areas of grain yard and truck parking. So far, no decision of closing down the grain market has been taken. The Apni mandis (weekly mandis in sectors) will continue as well, Parida added.
When asked about any decision on releasing prisoners jailed for minor crimes in Model Jail, Burail here, the UT Adviser said that no such decision is required here as the Jail premises is not overcrowded. Visitors have already been banned at the jail, he said.
He informed that about 50 raids have been conducted to keep a check on hoarding and overpricing of masks and sanitizers in the city.
Notably, the Administration had already shut down schools, colleges, universities, cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, pubs, spa centres, video gaming centres, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Rock Garden and coaching centres have been closed down till March 31 in the city.
Wedding and pubs which serve food have been exempted from the ban on gathering of upto 100 persons.
Contact tracing of positive Coronavirus case
Contact tracing of the suspect began on Wednesday and was done aggressively by the IDSP team in co-ordination with GMCH-32 and nodal officer for contact tracing.
Family members of contact viz father , mother (who was already attending to the suspect in GMCH 32), brother, driver and cook have also been sampled for COVID 19 on Thursday and the report was awaited till the filing of this report.
Besides them a fight co-passenger, gardener and his family and another person who came in contact have been traced and quarantined.
In all, 119 contact have been traced for follow up.
The sanitization of the residence of the patient and the adjoining area was carried out in the morning with full safety measures, said a spokesperson. Paryavaran Bhawan closed for visitors
The building of Paryavaran Bhawan in Sector 19 has been closed for the visitors till further orders. The building has offices of Chandigarh Forest and Wildlife Department, Environment Department, Science and Technology and Renewable Energy Department, UT CREST and Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee.
Visitors have been requested not to enter the office premises of Paryavaran Bhawan and avoid any physical interaction with any of the staff member of the office with effect from March 19 till further orders, stated a circular issued.
Bus service curtailed
The Chandigarh Administration has decided to curtail bus service in tricity and long routes by around 40 percent. A spokesperson said that the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking has started disinfecting both the Terminals i.e ISBT 17 and ISBT-43 here. All the buses are being disinfected thoroughly before start of its operation in the depot itself. Further, buses are also being disinfected intermediately at local bus terminals.