Aggressive testing helps Punjab Police, most cases asymptomatic

PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH :Punjab’s policemen and health workers on Covid duty are leading from the front in the fight against coronavirus.

From catching people violating protocol to ensuring strict lockdown, Punjab Police is on their toes yet so far only 0.8% of the 29,456 cops tested have been found positive. Tests of rest of the force is underway.

It’s compulsory for all police personnel to get themselves tested for Covid and so far, 37% of the total force has undergone the RT-PCR test.

A total of 241 cops have been found positive, while 168 have recovered till date.

Barring two deaths due to Covid-19, all police personnel were asymptomatic.

“From catching people jumping quarantine to ensuring law and order, even routine duties make police personnel vulnerable to the virus. We are doing RT-PCR tests for all and thankfully, a very less number has turned out to be positive,” says Punjab Police chief Dinkar Gupta.

With 13 positive cases, Sangrur has the maximum number of positive police personnel followed by Ludhiana City at 10.

According to a senior official, most of personnel have recovered and rejoined duty.

ADGP, welfare, V Neerja has been given the task of overseeing RT-PCR tests of the police force.

“I didn’t have any symptom but felt stiffness in the body one night. I went for a routine check and was stunned to learn about my positive status. I was shifted to a government isolation facility in Ludhiana, where I was kept for eight days. I’m perfectly fine now,” says assistant sub inspector Harmesh Singh from Ludhiana,

who was posted at Ladhowal Toll Plaza. The ASI resumes duty this week.

FEW HEALTH WORKERS TESTED POSITIVE

Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, Punjab’s nodal officer for fighting Covid-19, says, “We don’t have the exact data of health workers testing positive since the outbreak. It’s only recently that we added the column for data of health workers and cops testing positive.”

Director, health and family welfare, Dr Avneet Kaur says, “Let me assure you this number is very low.”

In Government Medical College, Patiala, 22 health workers were found positive, including 10 nurses, 10 ward boys and a junior doctor.

At least 20 ASHA workers also tested positive, a senior health functionary said, requesting anonymity.