Virus spike pushes Chatra admin to shut govt offices in five blocks

Chatra: The spike in the number of cases led Chatra district administration to shut down government offices, including five block and circle offices, for a week. At the remaining seven block and circle offices, drop boxes have been kept at the entrances for those who want their cases to be addressed urgently.
According to the latest figures, the district has recorded a total of 219 cases of which, 132 are still active and 87 have been cured and released.
Sources said block and circle offices in Kunda, Sadar, Huntergunj, Pratappur and Lawalong have been shut for the next seven days while drop box facilities have been kept at Itkhori, Mayurhund, Kanhachatti, Simaria, Tandwa, Paththalgaddha and Giddhore offices.
Officials said the move was also initiated because a large numbers of government officials got infected in the recent days. So far, two block development officers, one circle officer, employees at the DC and SDO offices, police lines, civil court and at the district rural development agency tested positive.
Confirming the developments, Chatra deputy commissioner Divyanshu Jha told TOI on Tuesday that he is now holding review meetings online through Google Meet. “As a protocol, sanitisation of all offices is being carried out. To speed up testing, one more TrueNat machine has been installed at the new hospital building situated at Nagwa area of Itkhori block.”