For managing mild cases, govt begins to train volunteers
nNEW DELHI: The medical training of local volunteers to triage and manage mild cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) admitted to isolation facilities in neighbourhood community centres and marriage halls began in Delhi on Tuesday.
As a pilot project, the government has started training the first batch of volunteers in New Delhi district’s Budh Nagar Colony. Over the next five days, these volunteers will be taught about human anatomy and to measure vital indicators such as pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, hygiene and infection control practices.
These centres are for patients with mild to moderate symptoms who do not have adequate space in their homes to isolate themselves.
Under Delhi government guidelines, asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms can stay isolated at home if they have a separate room and bathroom. If not, they will be moved to either Covid Care Centres or Covid Health Centres. There are more than 6,000 beds at the existing centres, of which around 30% are occupied, according to data provided by the Delhi government.
“The number of Covid-19 cases is increasing every day, so the government has decided to set up these small centres within the community, managed by the people from the community, for the people from the area. This is a pilot project, and if it is successful, then it will be implemented across Delhi,” Dr Nitin Shakya, the nodal officer for Covid-19, New Delhi district, said.
“The centres will be linked to nearby hospitals and there will be doctors available for tele-consults,” he said.
The volunteers have to between the ages of 18 and 55 and free of comorbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart or kidney disease. Anyone can sign up to volunteer through the Delhi government website.
“We also carried out a door-todoor drive asking people to volunteer. Around 35 people showed up for the training session today. The number might increase later; people are scared that they will get the disease,” Jay Prakash, the chief coordinator from the office of the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Delhi Cantonment, said.
Harish Arya, a driver who lost his job during the lockdown, attended the training session on Tuesday. “Initially, I had started donating food during the first lockdown and slowly got in touch with the district office, and have been volunteering with them ever since,” he said.