In Delhi's revised COVID combat plan, all houses to be screened by July 6; surveillance, contact tracing on focus

New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: In wake of the ever-increasing coronavirus cases in Delhi, which crossed the 66,000-mark, after 3,947 new infections were recorded during the last 24 hours, the Delhi government has issued a new COVID response plan.

According to the Delhi government revised plan, every household in the national capital will be screened by July 6 to check the spread of the deadly virus, while all the houses falling in the containment zone areas will be screened within a week by June 30. Delhi has 263 containment zones.

Also Read: Coronavirus Hotspots in Delhi: Containment zones rise to 263 as COVID-19 cases cross 66,000-mark | Check full list here

The government in its order said that surveillance and contact tracing will be augmented in the areas which have been sealed to break the chain of transmission.

"More than 2,500 new cases and up to 75 deaths (are) being reported every day (in Delhi). About 45 per cent of the cases are showing signs of clustering in containment zones," the Delhi government said.

The new COVID-19 response plan was issued after a series of meetings between Arvind Kejriwal and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the last week.  

According to the revised plan, strict monitoring at the district level will be implemented. The COVID-19 task force constituted to check the spread will now also have district commissioner of police, civic body officials, epidemiologists from the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), and IT professionals to monitor Aarogya Setu app. The state task force will be headed by the Chief Minister.

"It shall be ensured that Aarogya Setu app is downloaded by all, especially in the worst-affected neighbourhoods", the state government said.  

Also Read: Delhi Coronavirus Latest Updates: Nearly 4,000 new cases in a single day take tally past 66,000; over 2,300 dead so far

Meanwhile, the police, with the help of CCTV cameras will strictly monitor the movement in containment zones, as the government is preparing to increase the efforts for testing and isolation. "Rapid antigen testing will be done in such areas as per the guidelines of the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research)," as per the revised guidelines. 

In densely populated areas, the government will make arrangements to send the COVID-19 patients to dedicated COVID care centres. All symptomatic and asymptomatic cases will be tested in containment zones between 5th and 10th day.

20,000 samples will also be collected as a part of sero survey from Saturday, June 27, the results of which will be declared on July 10.