Amid an alarming rise in Covid cases and an influx of migrant labourers from most of the high-positivity states, the Government has set a target of testing at least 1.25 lakh people, especially travellers from other states, on April 22 in a special Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) drive, the health department stated on Monday.
In a letter addressed to the deputy commissioners of all the 24 districts in Jharkhand, health secretary KK Soan asked the various district administrations to prioritise testing of elderly and vulnerable travellers who entered Jharkhand territory recently and ensure RT PCR test for symptomatic travellers if they test negative in rapid test.
Soan also warned of a possible increase in the number of patients after the testing drive and asked the concerned officials in the districts to make arrangements of beds in hospitals and other isolation centres for the people who test positive during the drive and are in need of medical attention.
Jharkhand has reported an unprecedented rise in Covid cases and fatalities in the past couple of weeks. The second wave of the virus has not only taken the growth rate of infection in the state above the national average, but also reduced the doubling rate below the national average.
Meanwhile, special trains carrying migrants from Maharashtra have started entering Jharkhand territory, increasing the chances of a further spike in cases in the state, health officials said on Monday. Many workers have dodged mandatory Covid tests at railway stations, further increasing the fear of transmission in the villages they visit.
A document released by the health department highlighted that the state aims to conduct at least 15000 tests in Ranchi and 11000 tests in East Singhbhum – two of the worst-affected districts in terms of caseload and fatalities. Besides, Dhanbad administration has been asked to conduct 6500 tests while Bokaro administration has been asked to test at least 7000 people during the drive.
As per government data, Jharkhand has been reporting close to 4000 Covid cases and around 50 deaths every day on an average during the past one week. While the testing rate has been intensified in the state, many labs are still failing to provide Covid test reports within 48 hours – a trend that is causing delay in identification of cases and subsequent medical intervention.
Jharkhand has also run out of life-saving drugs needed for treatment of Covid patients and is exploring the international market to import medicines.