Testing to be intensified in societies, rural areas

Noida/Ghaziabad: In view of a possible third Covid wave, both Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad are planning to increase Covid testing in housing societies, rural areas, railway stations and bus stands across the cities.
The government has instructed the Ghaziabad health department to conduct 7,400 tests daily. However, due to the negligible cases in the district, the department is conducting around 4,600 tests with a focus on RT-PCR tests.GB Nagar, meanwhile, is currently testing 4,100 samples daily.
In the absence of a significant rise in Covid cases, people are not turning up at booths. Besides reaching out to societies and rural areas, the officials are also keeping a close watch on the spread of infection in neighbouring districts.
Ghaziabad’s surveillance officer Dr RK Gupta said, “At present, the number of people with seasonal fever has increased in the district. Their symptoms are similar to Covid. All such patients must be tested for Covid as well.” Dr Gupta added, “Random testing is being done in various societies and colonies across the city. Also, efforts are being made to get more children tested.”
The department is focusing on three bus stands and the Ghaziabad railway station where passengers from high caseload areas like Kerala and Maharashtra are being tested. Two teams have been deployed at these places where about 600-650 tests on average are being conducted every day.
Ghaziabad has conducted 41,718 tests this month (till August 9) and only nine cases have been reported so far. There are 11 permanent booths and 16 mobile teams in the district.
Meanwhile, the health department of GB Nagar said random screening camps will be conducted at the Botanical Garden, Sector 16 and Sector 18 metro stations in the coming days. “We have conducted around 37,100 tests this month (till August 9) in Noida, Greater Noida and other parts of the district,” said an official. The majority of tests were being done through rapid antigen kits, the officer added. Meanwhile, 12 individuals have been found positive for Covid 19 in the same duration with no new case being detected on August 2, 5 and 6.
Officials said in the coming days, autorickshaw drivers, cab drivers and other working executives who travel back and forth to the neighbouring districts and states will be screened. Dr Amit Kumar, the district public health expert, said that the situation is being reviewed at the chief medical officer’s office daily.
Residents’ groups are also trying to create awareness among families. Sanwarjeet Singh from Gaur Sports Wood in Sector 79 said, “Children have been organising street plays on various topics related to Covid. They visit neighbouring areas too. We are planning to hold two more plays in Sorkha and Salarpur within a week.”