Antigen testing of Rongli-Rhenock residents from today

11 more test Covid positive, Sikkim’s active case tally is 122

DICHENONGMU
GANGTOK: Nine more contacts of 103 RCC, GREF camp near Rongli bazaar have tested positive for Covid-19 based on samples tested on Tuesday. Two persons staying in quarantine centres in east district also tested positive for coronavirus taking the State’s active case tally to 122, informed Health director general-cum-secretary Dr.Pempa T. Bhutia on Wednesday evening.
Rongli bazaar has already been declared as a containment zone following detection of multiple Covid-19 cases from the GREF compound, about half a km away from the bazaar. A Health worker, a Police person and one local person have been infected with coronavirus while coming in contact with the GREF personnel and workers.
Similarly, Rhenock bazaar is a containment zone after several personnel from the SSB camp, about 2 km away towards Reshi, tested positive for Covid-19.
Both Rongli and Pakyong subdivisions are under a complete lockdown starting July 15 till July 31.
Speaking to reporters here, Dr.Pempa said Sikkim has not yet entered community transmission stage and maintained that the State is dealing with the primary contacts of the infected persons at present. To avoid community transmission, the two areas have been declared as containment zones, he said.
The Health department will start phase-wise rapid antigen testing starting July 15 in Rongli and Rhenock areas, said Dr.Pempa. The lab technicians were given hands on training at Rangpo screening centre today, he informed.
“We will cover all the areas of Rongli and Rhenock. To save time, we will be lodging the teams in few of the hotels nearby so that the Health workers need not travel every day. We will try to test all the residents of Rongli and Rhenock”, informed DG Health.
Anigten test gives result within 30 minutes wherein positive result is 100 per cent confirm while those testing negative are to be placed under surveillance for some days.
Dr.Pempa informed that Health teams from Singtam hospital have collected samples from 190 contacts at Rongli. The contacts include Health workers, police personnel, sanitisation workers, GREF workers and their families.
Rumours of lack of Health manpower were circulating after the containment zones were declared.
On this, the Health director general-cum-secretary maintained that the Health department has not compromised on the safety of the people though the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases does take up the resources available.
“We had pulled one doctor and a dentist from there at Rangpo as everyone needs to do their duties on turn at the checkpost. However, as per the norms, we have deputed two doctors at RongliPHC, Ayushdoctor and other healthcare staff as per the requirement. The staffs from Singtam hospital are regularly on duty especially for contact and sample testing at Rongli after the detection of positive cases which proves that we are not neglecting the public’s safety”, said Dr.Pempa.
“We also had a meeting with the chief secretary today where it was decided that 15 civil defence personnel will be deputed to be a part of our tracking team. Likewise, the DC (east) has also assured on giving his staffs,” said Dr.Pempa.