Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, May 19

In a unique initiative to curb the spread of Covid in villages, the police have started patrolling. Sarpanches will also rope in watchmen who will have records of persons coming from outside. Also, the contact information of nearby health centres in the villages has also been shared for testing an outsider with symptoms.

WhatsApp groups of sarpanch-panchs to make people aware about Covid rules have also been formed at village level. The groups will also help in enforcing the rules strictly. Two weeks ago, SSP Kapurthala along with the DC had held a meeting with sarpanches on block level. She had asked the sarpanches to ensure that there is proper reporting of people who are sick and sarpanches were also advised to ensure high number of testing.

Kanwardeep Kaur, SSP Kapurthala, said the youngsters are also taking turns to be a part of this initiative. “We are getting a very good response. Thikri pehras are being held on daily basis. I hope the efforts now reflect in the numbers too,” she said.

“This time more number of cases is getting reported from rural areas and people are still reluctant, but with the motivation of sarpanches, the testing has definitely increased in the villages,” the SSP said.

She made an appeal to the people and especially the youth to come forward and save lives from the second dangerous wave of Covid. The needy are further advised to contact the ‘food helpline’ numbers 112 and 181.

District administration Kapurthala is all set to launch a 15-day campaign from tomorrow onwards to expedite testing in every village to prevent further spread.

Deputy Commissioner Deepti Uppal on Wednesday said the high mortality rate in the villages was a matter of great concern. She said it was come to notice that the people sought treatment from nearby unauthorised doctors and did not get the tested in time which further pushed them to the critical situation.