Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Apr 13: The district has the largest number of coronavirus cases in the state. Therefore, a special mechanism has been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Kasargod district.

‘Care for Kasargod’ is an action plan outlining the strategies and procedures adopted by the district administration for its effective implementation. Alkesh Kumar Sharma, principal secretary, Industries Department, who is appointed as special officer to the district in the wake of the pandemic situation, released the documented action plan in the corona core committee meeting here. It is executed under the umbrella of the health department, police and local self-government institutions as part of the district administration. The initial success of Lockdown and Social Detention was strictly realized by those who were in the room quarantine. Because of the collection and quantification of COVID-19 confirmed patients and their contact lists, community outreach has been prevented. People who have symptoms such as cough and flu need to be surveyed and sampled as needed. COVID-19 was confirmed only by those who came from abroad and those who had the closest contact. Preparation of a proper route map and travel history made it possible to control the disease in the district.

Incident Commanders

In the early days of the spread of the virus, the Incident Commanders were appointed in the district under the Disaster Management Act. Seven senior officials of the district were appointed into different areas. Institutions in each area acted on the instructions of these Incident Commanders. The ADM was assigned the duties of the district, sub-collector-Kanhangad sub-division, RDO-Kasaragod sub-division and Tahsildars by their respective taluks. With the help of police Incident Commanders also raided markets to prevent price hike, hoarding and black market.

Lockdown

An action plan was prepared considering the unprecedented situation that emerged in the district.

Accordingly, different areas were divided into separate cluster containments and strict controls were imposed. In Kasaragod urban region, where coronavirus is most commonly reported, effective containment plan has been introduced. The police team led by IG Vijay Sakhare implemented strict controls in the cluster and buffer zones, as part of the action plan.

Corona control room

Since the first positive case was reported on February 3 the corona control cell has been active in the district hospital. Multi-stage monitoring systems were introduced to check for signs of illness. A special health team, including health inspectors and ASHA workers, was prepared to assist those in isolation at home.

Testing sequence

As the part of the action plan, the district administration developed an effective corona monitoring system for those in home isolation, corona care center, first-line treatment, general-district hospital and medical college. The district has adopted a five-step process. In the first phase, the medical officer will inform the
general hospital and the district surveillance officer over the phone about the patient who is about to undergo the COVID-19 test. In the second phase, based on the information received on the phone, the DMO will seek police assistance. The junior health inspector and the police arrive by ambulance to see the corona suspect person. The third step is to take the person to the general hospital by ambulance after they have been informed about the need to be isolated. In the fourth stage, the sample of the person who has been sent to the hospital for the examination will be taken to the observation centres prepared by the tahsildars or deputy tahsildars. In the fifth phase, the COVID-19 test will be followed by the DMO's instructions.

Kasaragod Medical College

The Kasaragod Medical College at Ukkinadukka has started functioning as a COVID hospital in order to boost the corona prevention efforts in the district. The medical college was transformed into a state-of-the-art COVID center in a four-day battle on the instructions of the chief minister. Two hundred beds and ten ICU beds were prepared in the first phase for those affected by COVID. Later, 100 beds and ten ICU beds will be set up.

Beds ready for treatment

Beds have been set up in the district to cure the virus affected persons. As in Plan A, 709 beds and 24 ICU beds were prepared in the medical college, district hospital and general hospital. In Plan B, 101 beds were set up at Thrikkarippur, Pudukkal Taluk Hospitals, Periya and Badiyaduka Community Health Centers. 936 beds and 10 ICUs were set up in Plan C, which includes government health centres, institutions and private hospitals. In addition, 345 beds were set up in the district's seven COVID care centers for isolation. Also, in 11 institutions designated as first-line treatment centres, 404 beds were set up.

Examination at Central University

A sample testing centre was set up in the PCR Lab of Kerala Central University in Periya. The results were determined using a PCR machine which will be handed over to the health department for a period of six to seven hours. The sample which was positive at the initial examination will be tested again in two and a half hours.

Funds assist

In order to improve the health sector of the district, the People's Representatives funded the Regional Development Fund and the Asset Development Fund. Steps were also taken to utilize CSR funds of PSUs including KSEB.

Community kitchens

Community kitchens have been started in the district with the support of local self government institutions, district supply office and Kudumbasree. There are 49 community kitchens set up in all the local bodies in the district. The food kit was provided to 11,050 persons including guest workers. Volunteers under the Ward Level Jana Jagratha Committee provided food and supplies to the needy and the guest workers. Free ration consignment kit and food preparation kit for guest workers were also
distributed.

Official news only through PRD

The district information office issued special press releases to inform the public. Posters were made public and awareness was enhanced through posters and social media. The media was able to provide official information only from the PRD. Videos of celebrities and reactions were spread through the media to spread awareness. The district collector alternately takes to Facebook live to answer questions from the public.

Due to the efficient implementation of the special action plan, it was able to effectively control the spread of corona in the district. This was made possible through the cooperation of various departments under the aegis of the district administration. Special officer Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS gave guidance to the district administration. Ernakulam city police commissioner, IG Vijay Sakhar IPS, north region IG Ashok Yadav IPS and women police commandant SP D Shilpa IPS controlled the lockdown.

Corona core committee meeting was held at collectorate mini-conference and presented by the district collector Dr D Sajithbabu IAS, sub collector Arun K Vijayan IAS, ADM N Devidas, district medical officer Dr AV Ramdas, district surveillance officer A T Manoj, NHM district program manager Dr Raman Swati Vaman, Kasaragod RDO T R Ahmed Kabir, deputy director of Panchayat Rajikumar, district supply Officer V K Sasheendran, district labor officer Keshavan district information officer M Madhusoodan.