Pune: The health department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has increased the number of contacts traced from 17 to 20 behind each COVID19-positive identified person. This decision has been taken after the number of coronavirus infections in the city started rising in the last few days.
Areas like Nagar Road, Bibwewadi, Sinhagad Road are reporting the maximum number of fresh cases of COVID19 disease. The civic officials have taken note of these rising numbers of cases and asked the private hospitals to reserve oxygenated beds for treatment of COVID patients. The testing has also been increased with about 4634 individuals tested for symptoms of coronavirus infection.
PMC has formed three quick response teams (QRT) in each of its 15 ward offices. The health inspector and other staff from the ward offices have been included in the respective QRT. If any person is identified to be COVID-positive then 17 recent contacts were being traced and questioned about their activities. However, since the number of cases are increasing in the last few days, the contact tracing has also been increased. Now 20 contacts instead of 17 are being traced behind every COVID positive person. PMC will also deploy staff from PMPML, teachers and other government department employees for the contact tracing work.
Dr Sanjeev Wavare, Assistant Health Chief of PMC said, "The number of COVID patients is increasing. Hence PMC has decided to keep 17 testing centres open on Sundays too for the convenience of citizens. We are continuously monitoring and reviewing the situation and if needed three more testing centres will be started in the next week."
"At present, 17 contacts are being traced for each COVID-positive patient. We are increasing it to 20 contacts. To achieve this, we may increase the number of QRT teams in each ward office, if needed," Dr Wavare added.
