Mohali plans aggressive Covid testing

Special focus on vulnerable sections coupled with aggressive contact tracing aiming for least 15 contacts per case, says deputy commissioner Girish Dayalan

Mohali The administration has decided to make all-out efforts to increase Covid-19 sampling in the district to detect and control the disease, deputy commissioner (DC) Girish Dayalan said on Tuesday.

Safety rules go for a toss as people move without masks at the phase-VII market in Mohali on Tuesday, November 24. (Gurminder Singh/HT)

Reviewing the status of Covid-19 infections in the district with subdivisional magistrates (SDMs) and senior medical officers of the district, Dayalan said, “testing may be increased twofold with special focus on vulnerable sections coupled with aggressive contact tracing, aiming for least 15 contacts per case.”

Directing the SDMs to prepare an advance weekly sampling plan targeting vulnerable sections, Dayalan asked the district development and panchayat officer (DDPO) to conduct a similar exercise for rural areas in consultation with sarpanches.

The civil surgeon was asked to ensure round-the-clock availability of the sampling team at the district hospital with two dedicated mobile sampling teams for the needy

Entrusting the responsibility of overseeing the contact tracing to the additional deputy commissioner (development), Dayalan asked him to ensure maximum physical contact tracing.

The control room would also be strengthened with requisite staff round the clock to sort out the grievances of the callers.

Strict enforcement measures with respect to compliance of health protocols and advisories was also stressed upon.