Teams formed for COVID-19 sample collection in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: As part of taking measure in battle against novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formed 13 teams under new strategy for sample collection to identify positive cases in the city.

The teams comprising of health workers, teachers and sanitation workers have been assigned to collect samples at different places within BMC jurisdiction.

While first six teams as mentioned in the list have been allotted north zone, south west zone and south east zone, the rest of the teams will be deployed by the BMC or Health & Family Welfare Department as per the requirement.

All the teams will work in two shifts daily. While the first shift will commence from 8.00 am to 11.00 am, the second shift will be from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm, informed the BMC in a release.

The teachers attached to the teams will ensure documentation and form filling at the sample collection centre.

Similarly, the sanitation workers involved in the teams have been directed to take up sanitisation activity at camps as per the guidelines of the Health & Family Welfare Department under the supervision of the concerned team leader.

Besides, the teams attached to the zone offices of BMC will be monitored by the zonal deputy commissioners, who are supposed to ensure all required arrangements at collection centres like drinking water, electricity, fan, toilets etc. They will also make seating arrangements for public.

Any lapses in the matter will be viewed seriously, the BMC made it clear in the release.

Worth mentioning, the state government has prepared a new strategy for Bhubaneswar to tackle COVID-19. Under the new strategy, the authorities have set the target to test 5000 samples in next 7 days.

Already, the city has been divided into three zones headed by six IAS officers, who have been assigned to monitor the containment and prevention of the deadly disease.