Telangana: 2nd wave on mind, officials tell DMHOs to keep an eye on Covid super-spreaders

Hyderabad: Anticipating a second wave, the state health authorities have directed district medical health officers (DMHOs) to look out for possible super-spreaders of the virus. Though 11 districts have seen a sharp increase of Covid-19 cases over the last seven days, testing continues to be quite low.

The problem of low testing, especially during the weekends, has previously resulted in notices being served to the DMHOs. Despite efforts to increase testing, the low turnout of patients at primary health centres, where the majority of the tests are conducted, remains a concern. As a result, officials have now been asked to go visit crowded areas with mobile testing vans and conduct tests to identify the vulnerable.

“We have directed DMHOs in districts with low testing to start sending mobile units. These mobile units have been introduced in all districts to ramp up testing. We have to send these units to markets, rythu bazaars etc, to identify possible super-spreaders like shopkeepers,” said Dr G Srinivasa Rao, director, public health, Telangana State. The probable super-spreaders, once identified, will be traced and tested early on and would be kept in isolation. “By identifying the super-spreaders early on, we can safeguard others,” said Rao, adding that lack of awareness is resulting in low testing

“While many districts in the state might not have seen the peak, despite a surge in positive cases, it is even more crucial to ramp up testing in these areas as the second wave is expected soon. Moreover, the people in rural areas are less inclined to get themselves tested due to low awareness levels. Aggressive testing strategy by the government is the need of the hour,” added the official.