Port Blair, Apr 28: Mr. Angshuman Roy State General Secretary of Hindu Rashtra Shakti A & N Islands has suggested some additional measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus infection in these Islands.
In his letter to CS, Mr. Angshuman Roy lauded the efforts of A & N Administration, taken to prevent spread of COVID-19 virus but he pointed out that in spite of all these efforts, there is still an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in these Islands which, according Mr. Roy suggests that more stringent measures should be taken to bring the numbers under control.
“I am sure that the administration is in a better place to see things and take conscious decision with all the figures and facts available but as a concerned citizen, I believe that it’s my responsibility to take part in the noble works being done by the administration and I put forth some valid points to mention, which a large number of islanders realize are the reasons paving way for the gradual increase in number of cases in the Islands,” he said.
He suggested strict entry control measures for inbound passengers, pointing out that everyday large numbers of passengers are tested positive at Port Blair airport. Although such patients are taken to quarantine centers, some infected persons though initially test negative in Rapid Antigen Test, they are tend to become positive at a later period based upon their body’s response to the virus infection. “Even though all incoming passengers are advised to be under home quarantine, it is a sorry plight that the protocol is not followed strictly by the passengers as there is no solid identification of these persons. Hence hereafter the inbound passengers should be mandatory quarantined for 10 days at their final destination. The residence of the persons should be marked as quarantined for identification so that the violating persons may easily be identified and fines hefty. The levying of the hefty fines is only to make the persons realize about the gravity of the situation and how they are taking it for granted putting other’s lives at risk. This measure may surely bring in a change among the masses and the airlines may not be forced to withdraw their services to Port Blair which is again to mention that the air transport is the lifeline for the islanders,” the State General Secretary of HRS added.
He pointed out that many Corona patients are being discharged from hospital even before they are tested negative. Many patients are discharged and issued discharge certificates with “Positive” result and are advised to remain in home isolation for reasons unknown.
“Again home isolation is not the solution as the people are not really serious about the virus infection and once at home, they start mingling with family members who are negative but are forced to do household chores, jobs by going out. It’s somehow paves way for mass infection which may prove to be disaster. It is very painful to see that the public fail to realize the dangerous gravity of the situation,” he mentioned.
Mr. Angshuman Roy also demanded that no home isolation for covid positive patients should be allowed. “It has also been observed that Home isolation is still encouraged in these Islands. Home isolation is followed mainly where there is shortage of beds and other amenities whereas our islands are well equipped with all the amenities and sufficient beds in the hospitals as well as the covid care centers set up by the Administration. In the present scenario, the virus is mutant and spreads very fast as compared to the first wave hence the family members are vulnerable to the virus which in turn may spread to everyone surrounding the residence. Hence it is requested to discourage the method of isolating the infected at home. This is a silent chain of infection which must be checked immediately,” Mr. Roy mentioned.
He added to his letter that very detailed contact tracing needed. “It is reported that this time contact tracing is not being done in a detailed manner, as it was done during the first wave. Many first contact persons are being asked to remain indoors and they are not even tested. These first contacts, many are positive, are going out and spreading the virus unknowingly. I understand we have a limited number of RT-PCR tests available in Andaman but at least all first contacts must undergo RAT, and if found positive must be isolated immediately,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here the words of the Prime Minister of India that the nation has to track, test and treat. But in these islands the first contacts are not taken serious and little we know that they are the carriers of the infection.
