Health dept sounds alert after spurt in coronavirus cases

LUCKNOW: The state health department on Sunday sounded an alert after spurt in Covid-19 cases after the arrival of migrant workers from various states to Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a joint press conference, additional chief secretary, home, Awanish Awasthi and principal secretary, health and family welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad said with the arrival of the migrant workers, corona cases had increased in the state.

The surveillance team led by accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers surveyed 3.72 lakh migrant workers in various districts and samples of 414 migrants having corona-like symptoms were sent for laboratory test, the officers said.

In view of the return of people in large numbers, the health department has also expanded its capacity to conduct test of samples for corona infection.

Currently, 6,500 samples are being tested daily and the target

has been set to increase it to 10, 000 samples daily. The health department has also decided to conduct random pool testing of the migrant workers.

“Those in grip of infection wiill be admitted to Covid-dedicated hospitals for quality treatment. The chief minister has approved the health department’s plan of setting up 1 lakh beds for corona patients and the beds will be made available within two to three days,” they said.

The CM has also directed officers to prepare a data including full details about skill capacity of all migrant workers and labourers.

Prasad said the number of active Covid-19 cases had been decreasing and of those recovering had been increasing in the state since last Monday.

Around 78,526 teams were engaged in surveillance of corona infection in the state. These teams have surveyed 64.36 lakh houses and screened 3.19 crore people so far.

“The migrant workers have been asked to remain in home quarantine for 21 days. People in home quarantine are being screened by village monitoring and mohalla surveillance committees,” Prasad added.