Kohima, May 27 (MExN): The Home Department, Government of Nagaland on Thursday directed the respective district deputy commissioners and Chairman, District Task Force on COVID-19 to immediately start Community Surveillance of people with COVID-19 like symptoms in the rural areas.
The State Chief Secretary, J Alam, IAS stated that it is found necessary to detect and contain the spread of COVID-19 cases from urban to rural areas and all efforts have to be made to prevent this spread.
“Community Surveillance of people with COVID-19 like symptoms should be started immediately in the rural areas. Therefore, an immediate exercise of Community Surveillance by DTF in selected villages and further to be scaled up in a phased manner, may be started,” he directed.
The following arrangements have to be made for the Community Survillance:
• ASHA from Health Department, Anganwadi workers from Social Welfare Department and SHGs from NSRLM (RD) department will work as the Village Surveillance Team for the purpose.
• ASHAs, AWWs and SHG members will identify anyone in the village with Influenza like Illness (ILI)/SARI including fever, cough, cold and difficulty in breathing.
• ASHA worker shall report to the Block Supervisors all such ILI/ SARI cases. The District Community Mobilizer shall obtain the reports from the Block Supervisors and submit the consolidated report from all Blocks to the District Surveillance Unit for further analysis. The District Surveillance Unit shall then send the consolidated daily report including NIL report to the following; State Level War Room (warroomnagaland@gmail.com); State Surveillance Unit (IDSP- nIssu.idsp@nic.in)
• The Village Surveillance Teams shall advise persons with ILI symptoms to quarantine themselves.
• The ASHA shall consult the ANM/CHO/MO for any symptomatic cases if found. The ANM/CHO/MO shall further consult the District Surveillance Unit or consult the State Helpline (18000-345-0019) for guidance.
• The District Surveillance Unit will identify clustering of ILI/SARI cases and mobilize rapid response teams as and when required.
• Testing of anyone with ILI/ SARI symptoms will be decided by the Medical Officer or District Surveillance Unit based on symptoms reported, clustering of cases and travel/ contact history.
• The DTF may decide and arrange for Home isolation/isolation facility at village level/ referral transport depending on the severity of the case in the event of any one being tested positive.
• A detailed SOP for community surveillance and management of COVID-I 9 cases in the rural areas shall be issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
• For more information and clarity on the issue, the DTF may contact the following officers in the War Room: M Rollan Lotha, COO, NSRLM – 8794000791; Dr Longri Kichu, Consultant, HFW – 7085052739.
