New Delhi, May 21 (IANS): The Resident Doctors Association of Maulana Azad Medical College and associated hospitals on Thursday wrote to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan against Delhi government's order for vacating the hospital-provided quarantine facilities.

In the letter, the RDA cited the government order dated May 20 stating that doctors residing in Hotel Lalit have to vacate the rooms by 12 noon on May 21. "Apart from being given at a short notice, this order is inhuman and blatantly undermines the persistent effort put in by the corona warriors providing treatment at the largest COVID facility of Delhi government," said the association.

"Doctors working here are at great mental stress due to the huge load of severely ill corona patients. Such an order has only worsened the mental state of doctors on COVID duty," said the association.

Delhi Government's Health Secretary Padmini Singla on May 20 issued an order wherein it was written that regular quarantine of healthcare workers after performing duty in COVID-19 areas "is not warranted". Therefore, all categories of staff on quarantine are directed to vacate the hospital- provided accommodations in hotels and dharmashalas latest by 12 noon on May 21.

The order was issued citing the revised guidelines on quarantine of healthcare workers by the Health Ministry.

The RDA in the letter to the Minister said that there is abundant evidence of COVID positivity in asymptomatic HCWs wearing proper PPEs, some of them are reported positive on Day 11-14 even when their first report was negative.

"We cannot risk transmission of infection to them and eventually to the community. Therefore, we request you to revoke the order or provide for alternative accommodation for the period of quarantine," said the letter.