The coronavirus cases in the State are spreading at a very fast pace. As per the daily health bulletin released by the health department, the number of active cases has increased seven times in the past six days. On December 31, the number of active cases was 2002, which on Wednesday reached to 10990, while on Thursday the active cases figure rose to 14255.
Out of total active cases in State, Ranchi and East Singhbhum account for nearly 60 per cent of total cases. On Thursday, 3704 fresh cases were reported across the State, while at the same time 435 patients recovered from infection. But at the same time four persons died fighting infection.
The virus is infecting more and more persons including doctors, health workers and even bureaucrats. On Thursday, Additional Chief Secretary of Health Department, Arun Kumar Singh was found positive. At the same time, secretaries of many departments are also reported to be positive. About a dozen officers have gone into isolation after their health deteriorated.
About half a dozen employees, including two joint secretaries of the Health Department, are positive. At the same time, more than 22 officer employees have become positive in NHM. NHM MD Ramesh Gholap is said to be in bad health, while IDSP State in-charge Dr Rakesh Dayal has also fallen ill. In Ranchi, Corona has now reached VVIP areas along with common localities. 4 employees have been found infected from Chief Justice residence. 8 from High Court, 8 from Rural Development Department, 18 from IRB Dhurva, 11 from National Health Mission and 8 from Health Department have been found infected. Meanwhile, the State Health department has issued fresh directives for home isolation.
Additional chief secretary (Health), based on the directives issued by Centre, has issued fresh directives to all Deputy Commissioners (DCs). As per the directives, home isolations has been advised for Covid-19 positive patients showing no symptoms and mild symptoms like dry cough, anosmia, ageusia, nasal block, sore throat, weakness, diarrhoea, myalgia etc with fever.
Asymptomatic Covid patients with co-morbidities have also been advised to stay quarantined at home. Considering the alarming surge in number of Covid-19 patients in the state the health department has issued guidelines dividing patients into three categories – all asymptomatic patients, comorbid patients with no symptoms (prioritise to control the comorbid state).
As per the directive, there should be daily monitoring of patients who are home isolated by district control room units and 104 toll free medical helpline. Also, according to guidelines, patients under home isolation should be given supportive management, masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, droplet precaution, paracetamol (if fever and bodyache), anti-histaminic (if needed) among others.