Jharkhand plans massive survey to map Covid cases, deaths

Jharkhand is preparing to carry out a massive “Intensive Public Health Survey” covering all households in rural and urban areas to map the spread of Covid-19 cases and identify related deaths, which are estimated to be much higher than official records. More than one lakh Sahiyas (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and Community Health Officers will conduct this exercise between May 19 and 25, according to a Health Department letter seen by The Indian Express.

This letter, issued to all Deputy Commissioners on May 14, said: “The public survey will be conducted to prevent the spread of infection in the community it is important that we identify the cases early, diagnose early and institute early preventive and treatment measures so as to reduce the spread and prevent serious morbidity and mortality…Priority needs to be given to 40-plus people as well as well as people with comorbid conditions…All people showing any symptoms cough, fever, body ache, taste will be tested with Rapid Antigen Testing.”

The letter said the first day of the IPHS week will be used to advertise the survey through various means. “The survey will start on the second day till May 23. The Sahiyas (ASHA) will go to each household in their village for the survey…They will note down the names of 40 plus people…plus during the survey they will conduct Rapid Antigen Testing of each and every person who will show symptoms of Covid-19.”

Jharkhand has 4,402 panchayats with more than 35,000 villages across its 24 districts. “Around 1 lakh people will be engaged in the survey and related work. Each village has a Sahiya and Sevika whose job will be to conduct the survey in their village and additional help will also be provided if the need arises. The government has also ordered for an inter-departmental coordination for the survey as well as in conducting tests, making arrangements, running panchayat isolation centres, running block level call centers among others,” said a Health Department officer, requesting anonymity.

In the urban areas, Urban Sahiyas will be asked to do the work where ever they have been appointed along with Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS) members. An MAS is a group of households in urban areas which oversees health and sanitation of their areas. Anganwadi workers and ward members will also be roped in on the survey.

The Indian Express has earlier reported on the Covid challenges being faced by rural Jharkhand, and the alleged undercounting of deaths in villages. A Health Department source said: “Another objective of the survey is to also get the count of the deceased in the state—whether Covid or Non-Covid, but at least we will be abreast with the situation. We won’t hide numbers.”