Shyam Sood
Rajouri March 12:–In a glaring case of carelessness, a confirmed Covid positive person, who reached Jammu from Dubai on March 10, was allowed to move to Rajouri district reportedly in a passenger vehicle.
The person (name withheld) reached home at village Shahpur (Budhal) yesterday and had met with family members & other relatives.
During his journey to Shahpur from Jammu, he definitely has come in contact with many persons at the Jammu & during his journey to Shahpur.The matter came to light when higher authorities at Jammu informed Dr. Shamim-un-Nisa, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Rajouri about the confirmed positive case.
“Immediately after the message was received a team was deputed and was sent to village Shahpur to trace the person and his immediate contacts,” said CMO. “On CMO’s directions, a team was deputed and was sent to Shahpur village today to collect samples for RT-PCR tests. The team was fully equipped along with PPT kits” said Dr. Iqbal Malik, BMO, Kandi health block.
“The team has collected 8 samples for RT-PCR tests, including of the man who came from Dubai, his wife, son, father, and relatives.. All have been isolated and were asked to follow the Covid-19 SOPs,” Dr.Iqbal added. The samples were sent to GMC Rajouri in the evening hours today.
Health officials here at Rajouri are in a fix how to identify the contacts of the already positive case if he had traveled to home in a passenger vehicle from Jammu.
Pertinent to mention here that, according to reports, 9 passengers, including Rajouri district resident, were tested positive from the same flight.When asked how the authorities allowed the confirmed positive case to travel to Rajouri & why was not isolated at Jammu, CMO said: “I will take up the matter with higher authorities,”
For about one month till March 7, no covid-19 confirmed positive case was reported in Rajouri district.Today’s was the second confirmed positive case in the district.