COVID-19: Four Rapid Response Teams To Intensify Contact Tracing In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to pace up contact tracing, four more Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been constituted in Bhubaneswar which is witnessing a steep rise in COVID-19 cases.

Earlier, the contact tracing activities were conducted by 10 RRTs under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area. With the addition teams, it is expected that the contact tracing time will be minimised.

Apart from contact tracing, the Rapid Response Teams will also be engaged in shifting COVID-19 patients to various dedicated hospitals, COVID Care Centres and home isolation cases.

“Out of these 14 teams, six teams are at zonal level while the rest are at the Central COVID Control Room at BMC. Each RRT constitutes health-care experts from Community Medicine and AYUSH,” BMC said in a release.

The decision to increase the RRTs was taken after a review meeting of the COVID-19 situation in Bhubaneswar which was held under the chairmanship of COVID Observer and Principal Secretary Women and Child Development Department, Anu Garg, at the BMC Conference Hall on Friday.

Labour Commissioner Thirumala Nayak and BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary and other senior officials attended the review meeting.

Principal Secretary @WCDOdisha cum COVID Observer, Bhubaneswar reviewed the ongoing work taken up by BMC in the fight against #COVID19

4 more RRT are added to the existing 10 teams which will enhance the contact tracing & shifting process.#BbsrFightsCOVID pic.twitter.com/19Hnf5J3Xv

— BMC (@bmcbbsr) July 24, 2020

It is pertinent to mention here that a record single-day spike of 248 COVID-19 cases was reported from Bhubaneswar on Friday. BMC officials informed that the testing for COVID-19 has gone up in the city and more than 1,400 tests were conducted yesterday.

“With the increase in testing numbers, there will also be a rise in the positive cases. Out of 163 home isolation cases, 46 persons have recovered from the virus in different parts of the city. The health condition of the 46 persons is being constantly monitored by the health experts. Those staying under home isolation are also under observation by the RRT teams,” a BMC statement read.

In another development, Harinagar area in BJB Nagar area was declared containment zone following detection of COVID-19 cases yesterday. "All the shopping establishment of whatsoever nature shall be closed immediately in the zone. The supply of essentials/medicines in the area will be carried out by BMC officials," said BMC.

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)

Also Read: COVID-19 Spike: 850 Additional Beds For COVID Care In Bhubaneswar