Apartments with over 3 cases will be containment zone: BBMP

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: With the aim of containing rising Covid-19 cases across Karnataka, the state health department on Thursday said an entire apartment complex in Bengaluru will be declared a “containment zone” if more than three Covid cases are detected.

Issuing an advisory to housing societies and apartment complexes, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in a statement said that all residents will be tested, and detailed contact tracing and surveillance will be done.

According to an advisory letter issued on Thursday to Resident Welfare Associations and apartment complexes, BBMP said, “Over the past 10 days, an increase in the day-on-day case numbers has been noticed and it is imperative that we need to enhance Covid-19 surveillance in view of larger public health. If more than three cases are reported within the apartment complex, or 100 meter perimeter or the floor above and below or the complete block or in case of smaller apartments complete apartment complex shall be declared as a ‘containment zone’ for a minimum of seven days.”

Specifying what would lead to a containment zone, the advisory said, “If there is one case in each floor, individual houses in those floors; if three cases in one floor, then the complete floor; If 10 cases in a tower, either single floor or multiple floors, complete tower; if 50 cases are detected in an apartment complex of 50-100 households/>100 cases in an apartment complex of >100 households complete apartment complex.”

The move comes after Bengaluru featured in the list of 174 districts in the country with the highest positivity rate. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare report, Bengaluru Urban district had a positivity rate. According to BBMP data, the city has around 479 active containment zones with 221 in Mahadevapura, 115 in Bommanahalli, 58 in Bengaluru South and East was reported to have 43 zones. The city on Thursday reported 18,374 fresh cases, with 3 deaths.

In guidelines to large complexes, the statement further stated, “Ensure all residents, house helps and visitors are checked for temperature, masks at entry point. Provision for hand sanitisation/hand wash is provided. Also it is advised that common areas such as doors, railings, surfaces, etc. likely to be touched by multiple people, are cleaned using Sodium Hypochlorite, bleaching powder, or any effective disinfectant for maintaining the highest level of sanitation and hygiene”.

“Common areas like walkways and parks used for walking or jogging can be used subject to strict maintenance of Covid Appropriate Behaviours. These places should not get converted into socializing or meeting points. Common groups of RWAs may be used to encourage vaccination coverage and spread awareness, using the official communication materials shared by BBMP. Use of gymnasiums, sports facilities, and swimming pools shall be avoided. Operations and allowed numbers shall be followed strictly as per the prevailing Government of India and Government of Karnataka guidelines”, the statement added. Karnataka on Thursday reported 25,005 new COVID-19 cases along with 2,363 recoveries and 8 deaths. With this, active cases stands at 1,15,733, while the total number of deaths is at 38,397.