Karnataka goes on war-footing as Omicron fears loom

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Wednesday directed health officials, deputy commissioners and district surveillance officials to steadfastly track, trace and quarantine primary and secondary contacts of persons infected with Covid-19.

The reports for the State Health Department confirms that currently, around 300 COVID cases are being reported daily in Karnataka. So far, 19 Omicron cases have been detected.

A statement by T. K. Anil Kumar, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare Department) stated, “To sustain the gains achieved so far we must work to prevent the occurrence of a third wave of infections in the state. It is necessary to trace, track and quarantine the primary and secondary contacts of Covid-19 positive persons more effectively. The primary and secondary contacts are to be identified within 24 hours of reporting of Covid positive cases. The primary contacts should be tested on the first and eighth days and home quarantined for a week from the date of Covid positive report.”

Public Health Inspecting Officers (PHIO), Community Health Officers (CHO) and ASHA workers involved in contract tracing, quarantining and supervising home isolation were directed to continue with their work.

“International travelers from high-risk countries need to be quarantined for a week from the date of their arrival until the follow-up and repeat RT-PCR test on the eighth day. If primary and secondary contacts also test positive, they are to be treated and managed as per the state Covid protocol.”

The districts and the BBMP are instructed to post dedicated and full-time persons separately for contact tracing and quarantine or home isolation watch, with immediate effect. The central war room and the BBMP, along with zonal and assembly constituency level war rooms and all district war rooms are re-activated and made fully functional to closely monitor and supervise the activities.

“All Covid-19 positive persons need to be triaged by a medical officer — PHC (primary health centre) and team on ground (physical triaging). Tele-triaging (over phone) shall be re-initiated at state level and triaging information would be recorded in Index application (BBMP) and state line list (rest of the districts),” the order copy further says.