Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jun 9: State health minister B Sriramulu, said that it has been decided not to subject Maharashtra returnees to institutional quarantine henceforth. "We will completely seal down the residences of the concerned persons. Once the house is sealed, he has to remain inside for 14 days of home quarantine. We have decided to sue the person if he or she comes out of the house. This decision has been taken at the state level," he explained.
The minister was addressing the media persons on Tuesday June 9.
The minister clarified that the deputy commissioner has been given complete authority over the district concerned. "We will appoint police personnel and home guards and also keep vigil through ASHA and Anganwadi workers. If the concerned venture out, those residing in the neighbourhood should pass information. If the family is too poor, we will provide kit through temple. If they display symptoms of the disease, we will perform tests," he stated.
The minister further clarified that in case of apartment complexes, the entire building will not be sealed, and the flat concerned only would be sealed down.
Sriramulu said that people coming from other states will not have to undergo institutional quarantine. If people coming from other states and countries do not display any symptoms of disease, their throat swab samples will not be sent for testing, he clarified.
Speaking about the allegations of private hospitals treating coronavirus infection and then charging exorbitantly, he said that in such incidents, cases would be registered against the hospitals concerned.
He said he has already promised to supply medical equipment and manpower needed by Karkala and Kundapur taluk hospitals about which they have already sent proposals. He said that his department will undertake measures to see that the work on the district hospital with 250 beds at Udupi will begin immediately.
Replying to questions on the government taking over responsibility of running Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Haji Abdulla Government Mother and Child Hospital at Udupi, he said that six specialized staff have already been provided to the hospital. Noting that there are a number of demands for the hospital, he said that he will soon convene a meeting of local MLA and officials concerned to consider them.
He also said that the government has decided to provide food kits to utterly poor families through muzrai temples.
The minister said that test reports of about 28 cases are expected today. He noted that 330 persons have been discharged from the district and 611 continue to be treated. One among the patients is in the intensive care unit, he added.