Once hotspot for Coronavirus cases, Bandipora figures at the bottom

Bandipora: Bandipora once being a hotspot for the novel Coronavirus cases is effectively fighting back and skipped from number one position to No 8 within a month. Thanks to the coordinated efforts by the district administration, Health Department and the field functionaries.
Bandipora district was the first district to cross 100 figure mark in the state and topped the list with 134 positive cases. However one month later Bandipora not only witnessed a steep drop in the positive cases but is currently the first district in the state to have highest number of recoveries. The district has only 12 active cases at present.
The fight started with the first detection of positive case in Khenusa village on March 23 and later in Hajin village on 24th March. Soon after the detections, the district administration launched extensive contact tracing at large scale involving medicos, revenue officers and law enforcing agencies.
The contacts were immediately put either in administrative quarantine or home quarantine depending upon the recommendations from the medical experts. The district administration constituted 31 dedicated teams of health experts in Red zones for conducting extensive screening of the whole population of these red zones.
About 40000 persons residing in 12 red zones including Hajin , Naidkhai, Gund Jahangeer, SK Bala , Bata gund, Chandergeer, Madwan, Hakabara, Kunan, Gund Qaiser, Gund Dachina and Nowgam (Bankoot) have been screened. 4142 persons have also been tested so far out of which 134 persons were tested positive.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora said soon after detection of positive cases, the extensive contact tracing helped in detection of more positive cases and one satisfying thing was that all the other cases were those who were already put under quarantine hence helped in preventing the virus from spreading. He said rise in positive cases was also the result of extensive testing.
While talking about the arrangements, DC Bandipora said the district administration made available 37 quarantine centres in the district with a bed capacity of about 1500 beds within a shortest possible time. 10 COVID wellness centres have also been established with 662 bed capacity and four Level-II COVID centres at Maternity hospital Pazalpora, CHC Hajin, SDH Gurez and DH Bandipora with an overall capacity of 330 beds.
1704 persons have completed their recommended quarantine period and have returned to their homes while 11813 persons also completed their home quarantine. 1519 persons are still under home quarantine while at present 307 persons are under administrative quarantine including students and migrant workers who recently returned from abroad or other states.
Amid growing number of positive cases, the district administration also decided to screen entire population and launched a massive COVID Health Audit in which health workers are meeting every individual of the district and enquire about her/his well being and check symptoms of virus, if any, following which a medical team (Level-II) visit that particular household to check suspected patients, if any.
Giving details, DC Bandipora said in the level one, 300 Booth Area level Group (BAG) teams have been constituted comprising of a Booth Level Worker, Anganwari Worker and Aasha worker. The teams go door to door at every household and enquire about the well being of every individual. The data thus received updated on mobile app “Swasthya Nidhi App”. Till date 336636 persons of 59622 households have been screened.
The district tops the list of recovered patients with highest number of recovered patients. At present 121 patients of the district have recovered from the COVID19 thus having only 12 positive patients admitted in isolated wards. One unfortunate death was also reported from the district.
Amid the lockdown the district administration ensured hassle free supply of essentials to the people while taking all due precautions.
During the lockdown period 1216 migrant laborers from other states are being provided food kits regularly and so far provided five times since March 29 which includes dry rice, spices, vegetables, pulses, soaps, oil etc. two relief camps have also been established catering to the need of 63 non local laborers . In addition to that 31585 destitute have also been provided food kits by district administration and 4045 destitute have been provided relief by NGOs.
The district administration in collaboration with local volunteers and NGOs also delivered medicines to about 1500 persons including 440 deliveries in Red Zone areas.
During the lockdown the administration also ensured distribution of ration to the consumers at doorsteps. Till date 32050 quintals of food grains were distributed among the 69000 households of the district while 21950 quintals of ration was distributed free of cost among the poor families under PMGKVY. 29500 LPG refills were also provided to the consumers during the lockdown including 12000 refills in red zones. The refills were properly fumigated before delivering to the consumers.
DC Bandipora said though they have breathed a sigh of relief after more than a month but they have not lowered the guard and will continue be cautious and alert. He appealed the public to continue to take precautions to avoid spread of the virus and cautioned that a single mistake can again land us in trouble and hence everybody needs to be cautious and take stay safe.