Enhanced surveillance from now on in Chennai and TN - Strict orders given by the Health secretary!!
Posted on: 11/Dec/2021 9:24:45 AM
As the number of persons getting affected by the Omicron variant virus has been growing day by day, many steps are being taken now to control the spread.
Yesterday, the health secretary of TN Mr. J. Radhakrishnan directed the district collectors and other officers to enhance surveillance. He also made it clear that these collectors and officers ensure that all the guidelines for the international passengers are being followed strictly to curb the spread of the new variant of Coronavirus.
He has written a letter to the collectors, GCC Commissioner, director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, airport directors, head of the departments etc. In his letter he had mentioned that after a detailed discussion regarding the current situation the TN state task force has recommended these measures and recommendations that are applicable at the district level.
According to the health secretary’s letter, all passengers entering TN from high alert counties would be tested and if found positive they would be isolated and given appropriate treatment.
In addition, their co-passengers would also be quarantined for a week and would be released after testing. It must be taken into note that all positive samples would be sent for whole genome sequencing to identify the strain of the virus. To make sure that the inter-state transmission of the new virus strain is prevented, the surveillance at the borders must be strengthened by this surveillance at the State level would be successful.
It is learnt that the testing rate would be increased and all clusters would be epidemiologically investigated to identify the strain causing clusters. To attain complete inoculation of the target population, the TN government would strengthen the vaccination drives. It is worthy to note that the officials have been asked to ensure that the public follow Covid-19 protocols like wearing facemasks, maintaining distance etc.
