Permanent testing centres to come up
Jamshedpur, Aug 23: Despite all efforts by the district administration, the Coronavirus continued to spread its reach in the steel city with the total number of the virus crossing 5,000 marks during the past 24 hours here. During the past 24 hours 266 samples were tested for Coronavirus positive, making the total number of Covid-19 cases in the district to 5,157 by late in the Saturday night.
The deadly virus crossed 5,000 marks in just 102 days since the first time it had hit the district with the arrival of twin Coronavirus cases from the Chakulia block on May 12.
With the continuous rise in the COVID cases, the district administration has decided to set up 11 permanent sample collection centres in the district.
East Singhbhum deputy commissioner, Suraj Kumar said that the administration is taking very effort to curb the spread of the virus.
�We are coming up with collection centres to increase tests. One of the permanent sample collection centres will be based at Jamshedpur, and the remaining 10 centres will be set up in as many blocks in the district. Those who want to get oneself tested for the COVID can turn up at the sample collection centre and get themselves tested. These centres will start functioning soon,” said Kumar.
The deputy commissioner said they are focussing on increasing the testing facility for the Coronavirus as they want more and more people who suspect to have been infected may avail the opportunity of getting themselves tested. He said regular resting will help in breaking the chain of the virus.
Of the total number of Coronavirus positive cases 2,603 people have recovered by getting treatment at about half-a-dozen hospitals, including Tata Main Hospital and MGM Medical College Hospital. As of now 151 people have died of the Covid.
While admitting that the situation is becoming serious, a senior health officer said people should avoid visiting thickly populated places as far as possible. �If people ensured social distancing norms, the situation could be brought under control within three weeks,� the official noted.
� We have noticed that a number of positive cases are coming from areas that are densely populated like Mango, Jugsalai and Kadma. Business and residential areas located in Sakchi are vulnerable,� he further noted.
Crowded marketplaces and densely populated residential areas surrounding them are emerging as COVID-19 hotspots in the city,� noted an official. Mango and Jugsalai areas have a large number of small to medium retail and wholesale business houses and are frequented by thousands of customers every day. Most houses here have common walls.
