AMC gears up to tackle second wave of Covid-19

Aurangabad, Nov 18:

Taking cue of the early warning signals issued by the director (health services) about the second wave of Coronavirus in January-February, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) health section has geared up to tackle the possible pandemic situation in the city.

The civic health officer Dr Neeta Padalkar said," We will be increasing the number of beds by 10 per cent to the highest strength of patients admitted in our jurisdiction."

The order directs to follow guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending conduct of at least 140 tests, per day, on a population of every one million (10 lakh). Besides, the order also suggests conducting frequent check-up of serious patients detected under the survey of My Family My Responsibility scheme.

Dr Padalkar explained, " The AMC has instructed to increase the number of laboratories to ensure maximum tests are conducted. Presently, there is a provision of conducting 3,000 tests daily. It includes 1,000 tests in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), 400 in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and remaining in eight private labs. An average of 1,000 tests is being conducted in the city excluding the Diwali season. The civic administration has started arrangements of the required kits in future. Meanwhile, the civic team is keeping an eye on 20 persons in contact with one Covid-19 patient. The tests are also being conducted in weekly markets."

The tests of potential super spreaders like grocery shops, vegetable vendors, hoteliers, waiters, milkmen, owner of milk centres, housemaids, gas cylinders delivery boys, electricians, plumbers, laundrymen, priests, transporters (staff driving truck, tempo and auto), labourers, drivers-conductors operating public transport, cops, home guards etc will also be done. The tests of 400 drivers and conductors operating Smart City buses are also on schedule, it is learnt.