Aiming to prevent the ominous Covid surge in rural areas, the Uttar Pradesh government will soon launch a mega testing campaign for the viral infection in all revenue villages from May 4.
“Based on the principle of test, trace and treat, this four-day drive will result in aggressive testing in the villages across the state to arrest the spread of the infection. Villages are a matter of concern and we have to protect the residents from the disease spread at any cost. There is a need for special vigilance towards the villages,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said at a high level Covid review meeting in Lucknow on Sunday.
The chief minister asked officials to make all necessary preparations and increase the number of RRTs (rapid response teams) that must make door-to-door visits to check body temperatures, record oxygen level and check for other symptoms in people who wee in home isolation. He ordered top Health Department officials to complete th preparations for the successful implementation of this drive.
“Thorough screening of every migrant person should be done. If required, migrants must be kept under quarantine. There should be centres where the returnees have to quarantine for 14 days before entering the villages. We are hoping that the villagers will recognise the benefits of getting tested to help reduce the virus spread,” said an official.
Yogi asked officials to seek help from monitoring committees and ensure proper treatment to those found unwell or who tested Corona positive. “Based on their condition, they should either be admitted to the hospital or placed in home isolation. Those found infected, should also be provided with medical kits,” he said.
Around 60,569 surveillance committees (nigrani samiti) have been set up in 58,194 gram panchayats to provide relief and timely medical facilities to villagers against the deadly second wave of coronavirus.
The CM asked officials to include Lekhpals as members of monitoring committees. There are around 40,1851 members in the 60,569 surveillance committees constituted at the village level which is headed by respective Gram Pradhan. The Gram Panchayat Secretary is the Member Secretary and representatives of Asha, Anganwadikatri, Kotedar, Rojgar Sevak, Chowkidar and others are the members of these committees.
The Uttar Pradesh government has already carried out rigorous cleanliness campaigns in all revenue villages. Under the special sanitation drive, cleaning, sanitisation and fogging was done at a rapid pace, across all the 58194 gram panchayats of the state. In fact, the cleanliness drives and frequent cleaning of drains yielded positive results as the rate of infection dropped remarkably in villages.
