Entire rural population of Punjab will undergo rapid test for COVID: Health minister

The whole rural population of Punjab will undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) as COVID-19 positivity price within the state’s villages is rising at an alarming price, Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu stated on Wednesday.

The drive will be carried out below ‘Mission Fateh 2 as half of efforts to interrupt the chain of transmission of the coronavirus, based on an official assertion.

Under ‘Mission Fateh 2’, further deputy commissioners have been nominated as nodal officers of their respective districts to conduct RAT on the rural population, it stated.

‘Mission Fateh’ symbolises the resolve of the folks of Punjab to halt the unfold of the coronavirus. Its first leg was launched by the state authorities in June final 12 months, the assertion added.

Sidhu stated group well being officers (CHOs) have been directed to make sure monitoring of all sufferers in home-isolation.

‘Corona Fateh Kits’, containing medicines and different dietary supplements to take care of COVID-19, will be offered to each affected person for speedy restoration by the well being division, he stated.

An lively surveillance survey will be completed in each village to detect influenza-like diseases or extreme respiratory infections by accredited social well being activists (ASHA), the minister stated.

Data of symptomatic sufferers will be shared with CHOs and senior medical officers, he added.

Sidhu additional stated deputy commissioners would represent three-member committees at block ranges which might depute groups for sampling on the village stage.

The minister stated ASHA staff will go door to door in each village to verify for signs of COVID-19 comparable to fever, cough and shortness of breath.

The complete quantity of villages in Punjab is 12,729.