Odisha Issues SOP To Prevent COVID Surge At Mental Health Hostels, Orphanages, Child Care Homes

Bhubaneswar: In view of the public health challenges that have been compounded owing to the recent resurgence of COVID-19 in the State, the Health Department in Odisha issued protective measures for mental health hostels, short stay homes, orphanages, child health care homes in the State on Tuesday.

The SOP has been prepared following the directives received from all concerned agencies including those under Central government and the State government.

Here is the SOP

Generic Preventive Measures

1 The generic measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID 19 among all staff and inmates at all times. These include-
(a) Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible. (b) Use of face covers/masks is mandatory.
(c) Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible.
(d) Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
(e) Self monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.
(f) Spitting shall be strictly prohibited. Posters/standees on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently.
(g) Upon arrival, the new inmates will undergo COVID test which would be facilitated by district IDSP control room in coordination with the district Mental Health Team.

Facility staff shall ensure the following arrangements:
(a) Entrance will have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions. Maintaining physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet, when queuing up for entry and exit inside the hostel/homes as far as feasible Specific markings may be made with sufficient distance to manage the queue and ensure social distancing in the premises.
(b) Only asymptomatic staff and students/inmates shall be allowed, All staff and studentsto be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks. The face cover/mask has to be worn at all times inside the hostel/homes.
(c) An isolation room must be earmarked In every hostel/home for isolation of a suspected case.
(d) Thermal screening will be done twice for every boarder, morning and evening and record will be maintained by the wardens.

3. Hostel/Home( Rooms)
a) Rooms are allotted with proper spacing to ensure social distancing. At any time, there should not be more than two students/inmates in a room. Students are expected to maintain social distance. Crowding of students/Inmates (more than two) in the hostel room is not permitted.
b) Students/Inmates are expected to observe high sense of self-discipline and COVID responsible behavior at all time inside and outside hostel premises. All students are expected to observe the following: -
(i) Regular and thorough hand hygiene. ii) Social distancing. iii) Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. iv) Face masking and good respiratory hygiene.
(c)Hand disinfectants should be used after exchanging objects with fellow students/faculty/staff, as also after touching surfaces like walls, doors, door knobs, stair handrails, switches, etc.
(d) Social distancing includes refraining from hugging, Intimating, or shaking hands with other students/friends/Inmates. It involves maintaining a distance of at least lm (3 ft.) andavoiding anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
(e) Respiratory hygiene means masking/covering mouth and nose with suitable medicated masks or wrapping a clean washed piece of cloth to secure self and other in surroundings when coughing or sneezing.
(f) Students are encouraged to restrain and not to share cups, eating utensils, food or drinks with others.
(g) Students/Inmates are encouraged to maintain proper ventilation and air exchange in their rooms by keeping their windows open (while keeping mess windows always closed) along with the door open from time to time.
(h) Students/Inmates should use their own soaps and disinfectants, and avoid sharing such materials. Periodic cleaning and dis-Infection of the rooms and toilets would be carried out. The cleanings of wash rooms will be carried out every day.
I) Students/Inmates should not crowd in the dining area,corridors & toilets. They should form queues for entry into the washroom with social distancing. Proper cleanliness to be maintained in these areas.
(J) No get-togethers are allowed in any part of the hostel building/Homes and students should avoid meeting in groups.
(K) No more than 3 students/inmates shall be permitted, (even with proper social distancing and respiratory etiquette) to gather or stand or chat outside the hostel/Home or between hostel/home lawns or garden area. Students/inmates should avoid gathering or sitting in groups

4. Dining & Mess
(a) Keeping with social distancing norms, the seating capacity of the students/Inmates in the dining hall to be reduced. The meal timings must be staggered to ensure smooth conduct of meal distribution. (b) A slot-based coupon system will be Introduced to ensure full communication and complete adherence.
(c) The staff on duty in the mess hall and the cook house, will be screened for their health conditions/hygiene before starting their duty every day and will mandatorily wear face-mask, head cover, and hand gloves while on duty. The mess staff will also ensure social distancing norms.
(d) The mess staff shall be trained on COVID appropriate behaviour by the staff( hostel/Inmates). They shall be monitored for their adherence at all time by the administrative dept.
Necessary coordination for treatment of minor ailment to be done with District Healthteam and Teleconsultation may be opted for consultation with the MO IC/DPHO of the district for further assistance regarding treatment, care, support or counselling as the case may be.
(k) Awareness activities must be conducted among the inmates, staff of homes/hostels/orphanges /CCIs by the district Mental Health Team/District RRT Team/ DSSO for upscaling knowledge and skills about COVID appropriate behaviour,
(l) In case the Inmate is found positive, they will be shifted to the isolation centre in the hostel/Home and the MOIC of DHH/SDH/CHC MO I/C and the guardians would be Informed and the student will be shifted to the hospital If necessary.
(m) The District IDSP Control Room must be informed regarding any symptomatic inmates suffering from Fever, Cough, Sore throat and diarrohea for further assistance.
(n) One Nodal Person from the Hostel/Home to be identified for close coordination and contact with District IDSP Control room/District Mental Health unit during any emergency.

5. Going Out
(a) It is not recommended to allow students visiting any place outside the campus, including eateries outside the campus.
(b) Students may be allowed to go outside for a maximum time of 15 Minutes per week for utmost important requirements, on case to case basis.

6. Collaborative Studies
(a) Students are encouraged to use collaborative/meeting software like 'GotoMeeting', Google Meet, Microsoft Teams etc. for any collaborative work like assignment, case studies, etc.
(b) Students are not expected to physically meet in a group for such work.

7. Delinquency Treatment
All those failing to observe the SOP shall be treated as delinquents and will be liable to disciplinary action Wardens shall issue an "On The Spot Caution" and endorse it in Anomaly Report Form, Any delinquent worker, student or staff who has earned a caution shall be proceeded against for disciplinary action based on facts enumerated in Anomaly Report Form,

8. Visitors to Homes / Centres
(a) No visitor shall be allowed to the Centres/ Homes and in case of exigencies, visitor may meet at waiting room/space dedicated for the purpose.
(b) Before allowing visitors, thermal screening , compulsory use of mask & sanitization be ensured to meet any inmate in a dedicated place.
(c) One staff should be identified to monitor the register of the visitors and make them aware of this SOP.
(d) Details of contact, address, mobile number & identity proof of visitor to be maintained for supporting contact tracing, if necessary.