Local bodies, residents’ assns to play a part in Covid control

Thiruvananthapuram: The district administration is engaging residents’ associations and local bodies proactively in its action plan to prevent formation of Covid-19 clusters. Separate set of instructions has been issued to local bodies and residents’ associations for this. The people in the grassroots level were included in mitigation efforts as Covid-19 is spreading across the district despite introduction of containment strategies.
While associations have been asked to form public health volunteer force, local bodies will form ward-level Covid-19 control teams. Surveillance check and break the chain will have to be implemented by residents’ associations. Residents’ associations and local bodies have been directed to purchase pulse oximeter and clinical thermometer for monitoring health of patients under home isolation.
Virtual platform is advised to promote cultural programmes. For funerals and marriages, social distancing has been mandated for residents’ associations. The members of associations have also been asked to co-ordinate with police to prevent formation of gatherings and conduct of events with huge public participation.
As for local bodies, ward-level control teams will meet daily and assess the situation. Local bodies will give support in terms of supply of essential materials and medicine to those under home isolation.
The district administration and health department has launched a new action plan for the district. The new action plan will be implemented with three objectives: to prevent spread of Covid-19 and limit daily active cases within the surge capacity of the district, prevent community transmission in unaffected areas and to reduce morbidity and mortality. Zone-specific interventions, community participation, telephonic monitoring by volunteers in beneficiary households, awareness generation, ward-level intervention to maintain social distancing and to avoid gathering at market places, shops, religious and social and family functions are crucial components of the action plan.
“The new move is an indirect admission on the failure of police-controlled system. Police were asked to be in charge for containing the disease. But, the numbers began to shoot up even after the role change. Only through engaging people proactively, such contagious diseases can be tamed,” said an official on condition of anonymity.