Raipur, Mungeli districts record highest number of primary contact +ve patients

 

 

After COVID-19 positive cases crossed 11,000 in Chhattisgarh, it has been found that, there is a plain difference in the average number of primary contacts traced from every patient who tested coronavirus across various districts of Chhattisgarh. In some of the districts, primary contact of COVID-19 positive patient with others is very high while in other districts, primary contact of coronavirus positive patient with others is very low.

 

According to the data provided by Chhattisgarh War Room of COVID-19 Positive cases, Raipur as well as Mungeli districts have reported the highest number of primary contacts, with an average of 20 to 22 for every person who tested COVID-19 positive in last three weeks. However, in some districts such as Bijapur, Bastar and Korba, on an average only two primary contacts have been traced for every COVID-19 Positive case in last three weeks.

 

In Durg, which is reporting second highest number of COVID-19 cases in last two weeks after capital Raipur, on an average four primary contacts were traced from every patient who tested COVID-19 Positive in the last three weeks. But in Balrampur as well as Koriya, on an average twelve primary contacts were traced from every patient who tested coronavirus positive in last three weeks. It is learnt that, in comparison to Durg, these two above districts saw fewer cases of COVID-19.

 

Health experts and medical officials were of the view that the health departments of various districts that identified few primary contacts should pull up their socks and ensure that they do not give up on contact tracing.

 

Dr S K Khandelwal, Senior Medical Officer and also a member of COVID-19 treatment and advisory committee in Chhattisgarh Department of Health and Family Welfare said that “Priority should be given to contact tracing as much as possible, with focus on household contacts, healthcare workers, high-risk closed settings and susceptible contacts. Identifying the cases immediately and extensive contact tracing are critical to maintaining low levels of transmission. This will help us to rapidly identify and break new transmission chains and save lives” he pointed.

 

Even many people alleged that in many districts, civic body and health department did not call them and asked about the people they had come in touch with after one of their relative or friend tested positive. “We ourselves had to make calls to our friends and all known people to inform them to remain in home quarantine” stated Ashish Patel, an assistant engineer in CSPDCL whose one family member was tested positive in Priyadarshani Nagar, Risali.

 

“Initially when the pandemic started, we ensured that we traced not only primary contacts but also secondary contacts and asked them to strictly maintain home quarantine. But owing to shortage of manpower, all our focus is on ensuring that the patients who test positive get the necessary medical intervention” told Prakash Kumar Sarve, Commissioner of Risali Municipal Corporation.

 

On the other hand, Dr Akhilesh Tripathi, Deputy Director and In-charge of COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh Department of Health and Family Welfare asserted that while contact tracing is being done thoroughly, but in many areas, the numbers are not being updated as many officials are not so tech savvy.