GTA to form Covid-19 surveillance panels in all constituencies

Sanjeevani Swastya Sewa at Mungpo

SNS, DARJEELING/ ALIPURDUAR, 3 MAY 2020: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is set to form surveillance committees in all its constituencies for better screening for Covid- 19.

"We, along with frontline workers, have been continuously working to combat novel corona virus. The pandemic has not hit the hills of Darjeeling due to the contribution of everyone in this fight. It does not, however, mean that we keep our guards down. To win the battle, we need the participation of the people," GTA chairman Anit Thapa said today.

"Keeping all this in mind, the GTA has decided to form surveillance committees in all its 45 constituencies.

The Samaj president and scoretary of each village in a constituency will be included in the committee," he added. According to the GTA chairman, a nodal person will be appointed to oversee the committee, which will inform him of any new person in their area or any person who has come from outside.

The GTA will take steps based on the information they get from the committee.

Mr Thapa also appealed to the people to be serious on the issue of Covid 19 and said, "Let the government classify Darjeeling in whatever zone it wants, but until the coronavirus threat remains, we all should think we are in the red zone and move ahead with caution and safety."

On the other hand, the GTA also started the Sanjeevani Swastya Sewa at Mungpo today.

The service has been started by keeping in mind the different types of regular illnesses people are going through.

The Mobile medical units will cater mostly to those living in far-flung areas in the hills. Doctors examined more than 200 people at Mungpo today.

Shopkeeper, family quarantined: A shop owner and five of his family members of the Hasimara area in Alipurduar district were sent to a quarantine centre today after the shopkeeper came in contact with a Covid- 19 patient.

The man came in contact with an ambulance driver and his helper who were returning from Tripura and were caught on the Bamani Bridge at Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri on Wednesday. The ambulance driver has tested positive for Covid-19, it is learnt.

A CCTV camera footage showed the ambulance stopping at Hasimara and the driver buying stuff from the shop. A health official at the Alipurduar hospital and some other staff have also been quarantined after they came in contact with the patient at a quarantine centre in Alipurduar. "I just got the news of six people from Hasimara being quarantined. There has been no new case in Alipurduar district," said CMO of Health, Dr Puran Sharma.