Safety of health workers proving Herculean task for Chandigarh admn

So far, 16 health workers have got infected, of which two have infected over 30 others, including 23 in Bapu Dham Colony

Protecting health workers from getting infected and spreading Covid-19 is proving to be a challenge for the Chandigarh administration. So far, 16 health workers in the city have got infected, of which two have infected over 30 others, including 24 in Bapu Dham Colony.

Nine health workers from Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32, Chandigarh, have tested positive for Covid-19. (HT File Photo)

Of the 16, six are from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), one from a private health institute and nine from the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32.

Over 450 persons, who have come in contact with these health workers, have been quarantined in Chandigarh. These do not include the health workers residing on GMCH premises.

INFECTION TRAILS 

On April 24, one of the health workers from GMCH-32, a 30-year-old resident of Bapu Dham Colony, became a “super spreader” for the colony, wherein 24 more have been found positive (two more in Manimajra and Sector 52) and 190 persons have been put under home quarantine.

After his reports, eight other staffers of GMCH, including three doctors, have been tested positive so far. None of them was dealing with a positive case, and majority were either posted in emergency or in operation theatre.

In another instance, a 30-year-old hospital attendant posted in communicable disease ward at the PGIMER got infected on April 17. The next day, the entire family of the man, who reside in a one-room apartment in Nayagaon, got infected.

‘MINIMISING RISK’

In a meeting with the UT administrator on Thursday, health secretary Dr Arun Kumar Gupta said adequate facilities were being provided to the doctors and health staff.

Meanwhile, GMCH director principal Dr BS Chavan said, “We have started providing PPE kits to doctors and other staff in the emergency to ensure their safety. We are going to start testing for Covid before performing any surgery. There can be exception in case of emergency situation.”

He said, “I have asked for a list of all workers who live in sealed areas or hotspots. We will ask them not to report to work, but they will be paid, so that we minimise the risk of infection.”

When asked about the number of health workers put under quarantine, he said, “ have asked for a list, and we will see how to manage the work, with some of the staff under quarantine.”