As ordered by Mahesh Chaudhari, IAS, Deputy Commissioner/Chairman, DDMA, Senapati district in his Orders No. 6/1(1)/DC9SPT)-2020, a mass Covid-19 testing of shopkeepers and taxi drivers (including autos) commenced from Wednesday to continue till June 12, 2021 from 10 am to 2 pm daily at Apfii Saliki (Women’s Market), Senapati.
This step was reportedly taken in preparation for gradual relaxation of containment measures from June 14 next, subject to new SOP of the Govt in this regard. The SDO/SDM, Senapati & District Surveilance Officer, Senapati in coordination with Karong Senapati Town Committee (KSTC) are working out schedule/batches for testing as per the capacity of the medical department. Different shopkeepers, taxi drivers and general public were seen coming for the testing today.
Briefing media persons, Dr. Jacob, DSO, Senapati stated that the mass testing was carried out as according to an order issued last by district DC. The step was reportedly taken as the Govt is planning to open some shops in phase wise if positivity rate is declining having tested the shopkeepers, taxi drivers and auto rickshaw drivers. There is an apprehension that could spread the virus to other commuters and consumers in the district without being tested. In case of high positivity rate, plan to open shops and relaxation of containment could be liable to delay, the doctor mentioned adding the most important target is to prevent further spread of the virus among general populace in the district.
In the process of the testing, 4 persons were tested positive for Covid-19 out of 248 persons tested on the day and the positivity rate stood at 1.6%.
The DSO, Senapati informed that all the positive persons are asymptomatic where they were instructed for strict home isolation and asked to inform the medical team or transfer to isolation ward at the District Hospital, Senapati if any of their health worsen. The positive persons were reportedly given first aid medicines before they were sent for home isolation. The test is reported to continue till June 12 as DC had ordered.