Port Blair, April 22: Considering the increase in the number of cases, the District Administration, South Andaman has strengthened the surveillance and control measures against the COVID-19 cases. Intense contact tracing and testing are the mainstay of the COVID-19 response and the District Administration has adapted the guidelines of tracing, testing and isolating as per GOI instructions.

Active surveillance, setting up of district control room for monitoring, capacity-building of frontline health workers, risk communication and strong community engagement as well as to address the needs of the vulnerable population are some of the key strategic interventions implemented to keep the disease in control.

Responding swiftly on a call received in the District Control Room on 22/04/2021 for urgent evacuation of a patient staying inside the containment zone, who was found critical for diabetic gangrene, the Administration immediately diverted an ambulance to the spot and the patient was shifted to GB Pant Hospital.

Further, the District Administration has been actively keeping a watch on containment zones to ensure effective services including social security and safety nets. The moral and legal obligation of District Administration extends to ensuring the 3As: Availability, Accessibility and Affordability for each and every section of the society, with a special stress on the subaltern and vulnerable sections such as women, children, senior citizens and ‘divyangs’.

The District Control Room is working 24X7 and in case of any emergency the general public can reach DCR on the numbers 03192-238881/240127, 1077 and +919531888844 (Watsapp).