This story is from October 19, 2020

Covid-19: To curb spiking infections, Mysuru to test all industrials employees

In a bid to curb surging Covid-19 infections, the Mysuru district administration has decided to make it mandatory for all employees in industrial units to undergo Covid-19 tests. As per the plan, employees above 50 years of age and those suffering from comorbidities will be tested in the first phase. Tests on other employees will then follow.
Covid-19: To curb spiking infections, Mysuru to test all industrials employees
Representative image
MYSURU: In a bid to curb surging Covid-19 infections, the Mysuru district administration has decided to make it mandatory for all employees in industrial units to undergo Covid-19 tests. As per the plan, employees above 50 years of age and those suffering from comorbidities will be tested in the first phase. Tests on other employees will then follow.
The District Industries Centre
has been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring all employees are tested. The centre has already collected data on employees who are above 50 years of age and those who have comorbidities.
As on Sunday, Mysuru reported a total 45,042 cases since the pandemic struck and it stands second among districts in Karnataka with the most cases after Bengaluru Urban. The district is inching its way to 1,000 deaths, having reported a total 923 fatalities as on Sunday, again the most after Bengaluru Urban.
Incidentally, the district reported a surge in cases in and around industrial areas in the initial stages of the pandemic. The state’s first cluster outbreak was reported at Jubilant Generics, a pharmaceutical company in Nanjangud during the nationwide lockdown, while a JK Tyre factory in the city also saw many of its employees being infected. This outbreak was reported just as cases were subsiding at the Nanjangud pharma company.
DK Lingaraju, joint director, District Industries Centre, said initially those above 50 years, who number over 4,500 and those with comorbidity (around 140 employees) will be tested in Mysuru city. "Various trade bodies have joined hands with us for this testing drive," he said.
There are 11 industrial areas and five industrial estates in operation in the district. A circular issued by District Industries Centre stated details of all employees, including their contact details, must be shared with the centre. Details of 23 testing centres have been shared with industry managements to carry out testing.
Mysuru Industries Association general secretary Suresh Kumar Jain said testing drives will be launched soon in all industrial areas. He said camps will be held to ensure employees are tested. "Many industry managements have agreed to spare space on their premises for testing purposes," Jain said.
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