New Covid-19 protocol for jails, old age homes in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: While testing people for Covid-19 is mandatory for those who need to fulfill travel requirement or screening requirements at colleges/ workplaces, a new set of government orders have asked health department to test new inmates of old age homes, jails or homes for mentally challenged to ensure they are free from the infection.
To standardize practices for prevention and management of Covid-19 across the state, the health department released a series of orders outlining the state’s policy of surveillance, testing, triaging, vaccinations and management and reporting of adverse effects of vaccinations.
These orders issued by the health secretary J Radhakrishnan on Friday have been given to district health authorities and doctors in government hospitals. “We have used the experiences we have gained over the last one year to standardize prevention measures. Although cases are declining, the number of fresh cases Tamil Nadu is reporting remains very high,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan. “Any reduction in surveillance, testing or implementation of covid appropriate behaviour can lead to a surge,” he said.
The orders details protocols such as active and passive surveillance measures, who and when to ask people to undergo test. “The contents were based on experiences share by doctors and medical experts,” he said. For instance, as per the new order results of all RTPCR tests should be declared within 24 hours and they should be communicated with individuals through SMS even if the test is negative. Random sampling can be taken at work/high risk areas such as pharmacies and marketplaces. Another GO on vaccinations offers details as to how the centres should be established and how wastage should be avoided.