As the novel Coronavirus has gripped the world and takes it by storm, various measures are being undertaken at all levels to contain its spread. In this regard, a unique and systematic approach has been implemented by the Simdega district administration since lockdown was imposed across Jharkhand.
With the first positive case being reported from the district on April 15 and the second on April 19, a triple layered tracking mechanism consisting of ward level, block level and district level committees have been formed to monitor the situation. The ‘Monitoring and Surveillance Committees’ home quarantined as many as 3165 individuals who entered the district on March 23.
“The Multi- Layered Monitoring Mechanism’ has helped us in avoiding any errors in reporting. It has also enabled us in tracking the movement of every individual across the district. A day to day call to each panchayat level monitoring committee was made which helped us in keeping a check on every migrant coming to the district from the nearest borders of Odiisha and Chhattisgarh.
After the first case came from a minority community, personal visits to the area were also made to make people believe that everything was being done for their safety,” said Simdega Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mritunjay Kumar Barnwal.
At the bottom of the three- tier system, the ward level monitoring committee comprising of six members- teacher, Anganwadu sevika, ASHA worker, ANM, PDS worker and ward member has been formed in all the 1119 wards. The team surveyed the wards to form an estimate about the ration requirements and also updated the block and district level committees regarding the status of home quarantined individuals.
The block level monitoring committee placed in the second tier is headed by Block Development Officers who are also given the power of Incident Commanders. The district level reporting cell is headed by Executive Magistrate Shehzad Pervez with a team of 80 teachers working under him.
The Deputy Development Commissioner is monitoring the Vigilance Cell responsible for functioning of the 41 quarantine centres at the block and district level. The cell also ensures adequate availability of basic amenities and services and also checks the quality of food given to the individuals at these centres.
Biru Hospital has been converted into a COVID19 hospital with a capacity of 20 beds and is expandable upto 50 beds.