Karnataka task force proposes booth-level panels to fight Covid

THE COMMITTEES WILL COMPRISE ONE MEMBER EACH FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, MUNICIPALITIES OR PANCHAYAT, AND VOLUNTEERS

BENGALURU:Amid the rising Covid-19 cases in the city, the Karnataka Covid-19 Task Force has decided to set up booth-level committees across the state including 8,800 here for effective monitoring and surveillance.

The task force also released detailed guidelines for home isolation for asymptomatic cases including 17 days ‘home isolation’ for patients below 50 years of age.

It also warned of legal action against those health workers for disrespect to the bodies.

Briefing reporters after the meeting on Friday, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said the local management will be strengthened for effective monitoring and surveillance of Covid-19 cases.

“There will be booth-level task force committees throughout the state right from the village to Bengaluru.

These task force committees will act at the ultra local level. The task force will act as a structural and functional unit of Covid-19 dealing with monitoring, surveillance, checking of all the ILI cases, ambulances and hospitals,” he added.

He also said the committees will comprise one member each from the Health department, police department, municipalities or Panchayat and volunteers. The committee will have five to six members.

The principal secretary in the Village Development and Panchayat Raj department L K Ateeq has been appointed as the nodal officer to manage the task force in the rural areas whereas in the urban areas, the Urban Development secretary, the municipal administration directors and the municipal commissioner will form the local task force.

“In Bengaluru alone 8,800 teams will be formed, which will be coterminous with the 8,800 booths in the city. They will provide the real-time data. They will be imparted training,” the minister added.

Noting that there were about 8,800 electoral booths in Bengaluru city and each booth will have a task force committee, he said a nodal officer has been appointed to oversee this.

The state level task force also came out with a slew of conditions.

As far as home isolation is concerned, it would apply for patients who are below 50 years and have no symptoms of any other disease, and their homes should have a toilet and have an attendant.