The District Disaster Management Authority, Srinagar, is initiating second phase of mass testing beginning 17th September 2020 with aim to test more than 60,000 citizens in municipal wards. The first phase of mass testing with focussing on Markets and Government offices culminated today with 32,000 tests conducted in 12 days. Srinagar Municipal Corporation has deployed Ward Officers in 74 wards to facilitate DDMA and Health authorities for Phase-II of special drive.
The special drive to conduct Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) was launched on 3rd September 2020 with special focus on markets, works places Government and private offices. Teams of health department aided by staff from various departments including Education and ICDS were deputed. Tehsildars coordinated with market associations, office establishments an various organisations, with active involvement of Police and Municipal officials, for making arrangements. Zonal teams were headed by respective Medical Officers.
During the special drive which covered 139 locations including markets, work places and offices more than 32,000 RAT were conducted out of which 2116 persons tested positive, including more than 310 at work places/offices. The special drives are aimed at early detection of cases and timely measures for isolation or treatment, depending the severity of case; and more importantly controlling the spread of pandemic.
Deputy Commissioner (Chairman DDMA), Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary informed that during last 15 days 49,334 rapid tests have been conducted in various zones, and contact pools apart from markets, work places and offices; which included 32,000 tests under special drive at identified areas. Additional health department previously conducted 36,966 RTPCR tests in various health zones of Srinagar apart from 47,027 air travellers tested on arrival at Srinagar. He commended the role played by the sampling teams and technical staff of SKIMS and GMC for all out efforts in ensuring maximum possible testing.
Chairman, DDMA has appealed the public to cooperate with field officers deployed by Srinagar Municipal Corporation for Phase-II of special drive with focussed testing in Municipal Wards. Tehsildars and SHOs will continue to facilitate the arrangements for sampling in respective areas and providing required assistance to sampling teams. He also appealed to civil society organisations, religious institutions and NGOs to mobilise the people in respective areas for ensuring maximum sampling/ testing for COVID-19 as per schedule notified, which is aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19. DC Srinagar has further appealed the municipal councillors, BDC Chairpersons and Sarpanchs and Panchs for their active role in mobilising public for ensuring maximum sampling in their respective constituencies.
The special drive is being organised in addition to the regular sampling done by zonal teams in respective medical blocks and institutional sampling at respective hospitals. A team of Department of Social and Preventive Medicine GMC Srinagar is actively working with DDMA for chalking out containment strategies including testing. Sringar Municipal Corporation has deployed the Ward Officers for reaching out to public as per schedule in respective wards to ensure maximum sampling/ testing. General public has been appealed to come forward for testing as per schedule notified.