Covid-19 test drive in hospital hub, health workers’ housing belt in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Beginning Tuesday, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will launch a four-day Covid-test drive in the Mukundapur-Anandapur-Panchasayar belt that has six major hospitals and houses hundreds of healthcare workers. The aim of the exercise is to identify the affected zones and respond with specific measures to protect the hospital hub that is crucial to the city’s battle against Covid-19.
The decision to conduct RT-PCR and antigen tests in the belt was taken in a meeting in KMC — headed by Alapan Bandyopadhyay, the nodal officer for Covid response in Kolkata — following reports of a spurt in cases in this belt along the city’s eastern edge. Of the 60 samples collected from Mukundapur market in the first round of antigen tests on Saturday, five had tested positive, sparking concern. Of these, three were relatives or acquaintances of Covid patients.
The tests will target specific groups perceived as high-risk. “This is important to protect healthcare workers, as well as local residents,” said ward 109 coordinator Ananya Banerjee. Sources said the tests will primarily focus on three sets of people — auto drivers and rickshawpullers, those working in guest houses and hospitals other than doctors and nurses, and residents of neighbourhood complexes. Cops will also be tested as Panchasayar, Anandapur and Survey Park police stations have reported multiple cases. There is also concern about Shahid Smriti Colony, which has a population of 15,000. A KMC official said a random survey will be carried out, but the civic body has a fair idea about those who are in the high-risk category and are possible carriers.
Till date, 364 Covid cases have been reported from the ward that has around 15 big and small hospitals. Spread over 9.2sqkm and with a population of 66,000, the area has 52 housing complexes and 17 colonies. Of the 364 cases, 123 were local residents and the rest were healthcare workers, patients and their relatives, as well as hospital support staffers.
“Four housing complexes on EM Bypass and Survey Park have reported several cases in the past four months,” said Banerjee. Together with Patuli and Baghajatin, Mukundapur has as many as nine containment zones.
Incidentally, the first Covid case in the state had been reported from a complex in this area on March 17. The youth, a student, had returned from abroad when he tested positive for Covid.