Intensify efforts in COVID-19 superspreader areas: Delhi government tells DMs
What's the story
Calling malls, cinema halls, weekly markets, metro services, and religious places "superspreader" areas, the Delhi government has directed all district magistrates to intensify enforcement of COVID-19 norms in such places in view of a persistent rise in cases in Delhi. In an order issued on Tuesday, Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar had said areas where sero-surveillance was low should be targeted with more intensive efforts.
Information
Guidelines for COVID-19 appropriate behavior are regularly issued
He noted that guidelines and instructions have been issued from time to time for testing, surveillance, isolation, vaccination, and COVID-19 appropriate behavior for the public in general, and people venturing in weekly markets, transporting vehicles, malls, cinemas, religious, social gathering, and banquet halls in particular.
Campaigns
DMs told to personally monitor all enforcement efforts
"There are several superspreader areas like weekly markets, cinema, malls, metro services, religious places, etc. All the district magistrates (DMs) should greatly intensify their enforcement efforts and IEC (information, education, and communication) campaign in these areas," Khirwar said in the order. He has also asked the DMs to personally monitor these activities and treat this upscaling of efforts as a matter of "topmost priority."
Quote
Order stated that COVID-19 appropriate behavior is not being followed
The order stated that the last fortnight has seen a persistent increase in coronavirus cases in Delhi and the positivity rate is also on the rise. "It has been observed that COVID-19 appropriate behavior is not being followed amongst the general public," it stated.
Public gatherings
Delhi has banned Holi celebrations in public amid coronavirus surge
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) ordered that there would be no public celebrations and gatherings in the national capital for upcoming festivals such as Holi and Navratri. "Delhi reported 1,101 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the highest in over three months, while four people succumbed to the disease," the Health Department said.
COVID-19 cases
Over 1,000 cases were last recorded on December 24
It was the first time since December 24 last year that the city recorded more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases. The DDMA has called for additional precautionary measures to prevent and control the rapid increase of cases in Delhi regarding people coming to the city from other states where COVID-19 cases have recently been rising significantly.
Testing
Passengers from states reporting a surge will be randomly tested
"All DDMA authorities will conduct random testing (RAT/RT-PCR) of passengers coming from the states where COVID-19 cases are surging, at all airports, railway stations, Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBT) and other alighting points," it had said in another order on Tuesday. Meanwhile, India reported 47,262 COVID-19 cases and 275 related fatalities on Tuesday, taking the cumulative tally to 11,734,058 and the death toll to 1,60,441.