Ever since the first COVID-19 positive case was detected in the state, the Karnataka government, along with all healthcare provider communities within the state, has been working to make the state virus-free. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, talks about the key measures taken so far to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state, in conversation with Usha Sharma
Tell us about the measures taken by the Karnataka State government to control COVID-19 spread in the state.
The state started the COVID-19 containment measures from 30th January, 2020, itself.
a) Till date, around 1,28,315 passengers have been screened in Karnataka, since restrictions were put by the Union Government on international travellers. The self-declaration form filled by those passengers and records of the bureau of immigration were taken. The passengers were called through IVRS system and those who had any COVID-19-like symptoms were directed to First Responder Hospitals (FRHs). Overall, more than 45000 passengers, who arrived between 1st and 22nd March, 2020, were screened for their health status. Further, there were house-to-house drives conducted for checking and stamping of passengers instructed home quarantine. Those who violated home quarantine were shifted to mass quarantine using 50 Quarantine Enforcement Squads. More than 300 such violations were reported and actions were taken.
b) All the international passengers arrived since 1st March, 2020, are listed and screened. Primary contacts of COVID-19 positive have been quarantined at an institutional facility of the government. Those primary contacts, who have co-morbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, HIV etc., are quarantined at hospitals, while others are at hotels/hostels etc.
c) Secondary contacts are also identified and home quarantined.
d) Nationwide lockdown is being effectively implemented.
e) The health workers are being given a prophylactic dose of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHF&W), the Government of India’s directions, Karnataka has notified 17 dedicated hospitals for a treatment facility for COVID-19.
g) Necessary infrastructure facility has been provided in 13 district laboratories (10 government and three private) in the state to diagnose COVID-19 disease.
h) The Karnataka State Drug Logistics and Warehousing Society (KDLWS) has geared up for the procurement of PPE, drugs, sanitisers, etc., for all the government hospitals.
i) One thousand teams have been constituted in The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for contact-tracing and stamping. Out of these 1,000 teams, 100 teams are for primary contact tracing spread over entire Bengaluru consisting of a medical expert and few people assisting them. 900 teams are for secondary contact tracing spread across Bengaluru. The team consists of three to four officers.
j) The Arogya Sahayavani-104 was strengthened by adding more lines. Three more helplines were added viz. 080-46848600/080-66692000/974569756
k) With the Bengaluru urban district in the 28 Legislative Assembly Constituencies, a total of 31 fever clinics have been opened.
l) The Chief Minister of Karnataka himself has started guiding and monitoring the implementation activities from time to time.
m) High-power COVID-19 task force committees are constituted including several ministers and senior officers of the government.
n) COVID-19 operations were run on a war footing basis by constituting state level.
Give us more insight into the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases COVID-19, regulation 2020.
Epidemic disease regulations were notified on 11th March, 2020. The authorised persons were notified as DHS and DME at the state level and DC, DHO and DS at the district level, and THO at the block level. Chief Health Officer (CHO) of BBMP has been notified in the BBMP area. Measures have been advocated on quarantine of contacts, hospitalisation of the suspects and the sealing of the geographical area in order to contain the spread of infection to other areas have been highlighted in the notification.
How prepared is the state to avoid community spread?
Social distancing practice will continue. Mass awareness is created through government machinery, mass media, social media, by volunteers and community social groups.
- Surveillance will be intensified. Healthcare facilities will be functional round the clock.
- Preparedness in terms of clinical facilities and logistics in case of a major threat
How many quarantine centres do we have in the state and where are they located?
There are 28 quarantine facilities in the state. Bengaluru urban and rural districts have 23 centres and the rest of the centres are in Mangalore, Karwar, Belgaum and Dharwad.
How many public/ private labs are conducting the COVID-19 tests? So far, how many tests have been carried out?
At present, the state has the ICMR-approved 13 Laboratories (10 government and three private) which are established in the to diagnose COVID-19 disease.
As on 4th April, 2020, the state had the recorded total 5,061 tests and out of them 144 are positive.
How are you ensuring the availability of products like hand sanitiser, masks and other essential medicines in the state?
The state has prepared itself by keeping ready enough number of PPE, masks, ventilators, etc. There is no shortage of any critical equipment and to ensure regular supply, orders have been placed.
Tell us about the measures which need to be taken to have minimal impact on the economy.
The state authorities are focusing on aensuring continuous supply chain of essential commodities, along with ensuring basic minimum support to poor and labour class as well as supporting agriculture and manufacturing units.
What message would you like to give to people in the state/across the nation to fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic?
Strictly follow the lockdown guidelines.
u.sharma@expressindia.com