ECoR gears up to prevent coronavirus outbreak

Bhubaneswar: Amid coronavirus scare globally, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) took comprehensive measures to prevent the virus infection. It directed the Railway Medical Wing and Divisional Railway Managers to ensure that adequate prevention measures are put in place across the zone.

Control Rooms have been set up at important places over ECoR system and the staff have been sensitised and educated about the subject. The collaboration and coordination with the concerned health authorities is also being ensured.

Following action has been taken to guard against Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

a. Information, Education, & Communication (IEC) material (posters, banners and pamphlets) regarding corona virus (COVID-19) are being prominently displayed for awareness of passengers and general public in local language at railway stations and in trains and are also being distributed to patients visiting hospitals, Railway colonies, Health units, hospitals and office buildings. Audio and video clips are being played at railway stations to spread awareness. Public announcements are being made at stations.

b. In Railway hospitals, Persons with fever are being separated from other patients. Separate counters/wards with specific signage for fever cases have been established. Medical staff has been deployed at such areas having proper protective gears.

c. Railway hospitals have been provided with isolation beds for fever related cases for treating suspected Corona virus cases with availability of necessary protective gears. Further, Railways has identified specific beds for quarantine at different locations across the country.

d. Medical staff have been advised that if any patient of corona virus disease is suspected or reported in any of the Railway Hospital/Health Unit over ECoR System, the same may be informed to local health authorities immediately.

e. All medical in-charges have been advised to be in constant touch with the respective State Authorities to obtain the guidelines/updates issued on the subjects and take necessary detection, prevention & curative measures suggested by such State Authorities.

f. Control rooms and telephone help lines have been set up at all railway hospitals.

g. The isolation/quarantine centre beds in the Railway premises would be utilised in consultation with local State Administration, whenever needed.

h. Health Education Camps have been conducted in Railway settlement to create awareness among Railway beneficiaries.

i. Training has been imparted to all health care workers regarding the preventive strategies.

j. Ten bedded Isolation wards, equipped with drugs and life saving equipments, earmarked in Central Hospital, Bhubaneswar, divisional hospitals at Khurda Road, Sambalpur and Visakhapatnam for suspected COVID cases.

k. Blankets and curtains being removed from AC coaches as an extra precaution to keep safe and guard against possible spread of any infection. Extra bed sheets will be provided on demand. This is an additional safeguard and a sanitizing measure.

l. Special emphasis on continuously disinfecting coaches and toilets.

m. Cleanliness and sanitation in station areas and Railway colonies being strictly monitored.