Last week, the health department floated a tender to fix a rate for antigen tests and appoint private laboratories
A society in Malad where residents refused to get tested. Pic/ Satej Shinde
Despite the civic body's attempts to extend the scope of rapid antigen testing by roping in private laboratories in the western suburbs, the initiative hasn't been widely welcomed and many are reluctant to be tested. The process was started in P North and P South wards earlier this week and after covering over 7,400 houses, cumulatively, the BMC has been able to test less than 200 people, of whom 17 were positive.
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Last week, the health department floated a tender to fix a rate for antigen tests and appoint private laboratories. In the meantime, two private laboratories, Thyrocare Technologies and Suburban Diagnostics were roped in to test residents in Containment Zones of P South ward (Malad) July 14 onwards and P North ward (Goregaon) July 16 onwards. In P North, teams have surveyed around 5,700 houses and tested only 127 people of which 14 tested positive. In P South, 1,712 houses were surveyed, 57 people were tested, three returned positive.
Sanjog Kabare, assistant municipal commissioner of P North ward, said despite making testing more convenient, people are reluctant. "Antigen testing is done at the buildings and there is no need to go anywhere. Our aim is to test 250 samples a day but people are unwilling. We are hoping that with more awareness, we can encourage people to come forward for testing," he said. He added that the aim is to cover 300 societies by July 26.
A health official from P North ward said, "We have identified buildings where there are over three to four active cases. Despite informing the society secretary a day before the testing camp, people don't turn up. There is a fear of the social stigma and they either say they have no symptoms or flatly refuse to get tested." He added that as part of the screening process, their temperature and oxygen saturation is checked and they are asked about other related symptoms. If they test positive, they are shifted to a COVID care facility or a hospital depending on their symptoms.
The teams visiting the residential buildings include members of NGOs, health department staff and members of private laboratories. Suryabhan Singh, an NGO worker involved with the initiative, said while there are some symptomatic people who come to the camp on their own to get tested, there are others who don't even come to the door when the staff visits them for screening. "They feel that if they test positive, they will be taken away. Some even ask us what if any of us from the team are infected and we spread it to them. Ultimately, it's their choice and we can't force them," he said.
Deputy municipal commissioner Ranjit Dhakane said that the civic body and political representatives are working together to spread awareness. "We have started helmet screening in the buildings in Containment Zones. We are making all efforts to ramp up testing in such areas. There's a day-wise plan till July 30 and have involved local corporators and MLAs to encourage people to get tested," he said.
Shiv Sena leader and MLA Sunil Prabhu said, "We are explaining the benefits of testing to people. I have convinced the secretaries of many societies to allow BMC teams to conduct antigen testing and they are speaking to the residents. Corporators of all parties have been asked to do the same. In order to prevent this virus from spreading, we have to test people extensively." In P North, the containment zones are located in areas like Chincholibunder, Jan Kalyan Nagar and Dindoshi east. In P South, the areas include Vasari Hill and Gokuldham.
What is helmet screening?
The BMC is using thermal helmets to check people's temperature. Thermal thermometers are attached to a helmet which is worn by the health worker. The gadget helps them screen several people simultaneously.
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