Andaman & Nicobar Administration Needs to Take Public Representatives in Confidence to Contain the Virus Spread

Port Blair, Aug 11: There has been a backlog in testing COVID-19 samples, which is now a matter of great concern for the islanders. In most of the news cases, the swab samples are taken after the patients show signs and symptoms. Unfortunately the test results are received only after a gap of 5 days and in many cases it goes upto 7 days.

Glaring examples have come to light when Swab Samples were taken and was misplaced. The samples of the patient had to be taken again.

In one such case, the sample of a patient was taken on 1st of August 2020 and the result was received on 7th August 2020. Till then the patient remained at home. It was only after her condition started deteriorating and the test result received that she was admitted in the isolation ward of the GB Pant Hospital. All the while the patient remained at home, risking all other family members. There are many more such cases, which clearly indicates that the spread of the virus cannot be contained unless test results are received on time.

The most worrying part is that it is not just common islanders who are facing the issue. Sources indicate that the Corona Control Team of DC, South Andaman Office had handed over the test result of a staff in GB Pant Hospital after 9 days. Till then, the staff continued his duties, risking all other patients who visited the hospital.

Similar is the case of PHC Wimberlygunj where most of the staff have been tested positive after a delayed test report was served to them.

In a situation wherein the RMRC-ICMR, Port Blair is overburdened, why can’t the Andaman & Nicobar Administration devise a strategy for Rapid Test of symptomatic cases and order immediate isolation (home/ institutional)? Moreover, the Administration should take into confidence, the elected public representatives and other stakeholders including private media (to remind), as was suggested by the Member of Parliament recently. This will enable a systematic way of controlling the uncontrolled COVID-19 pandemic. No battle can be won alone. Hope the Administration would make a note of it.