There is a new emerging fear in the state of Punjab and the union territory of Chandigarh relating to Covid-19. People of Punjab and Chandigarh are using Home-based testing kits to check if they are positive or not. Such reports from Ludhiana, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Ropar, Patiala, Mansa, Kapurthala, and Pathankot where private doctors are concerned that people are not informing the authority regarding their Covid 19 status and it could be a new Spreader as Festivals are round the corner.
Concerning the same, the Chandigarh Administration, on Monday, released a notification and Helpline number to the people of Chandigarh that if they are testing themselves with Home-based Covid Testing kits and not informing the concerned authority regarding their Covid status (in case they found to be positive), then the concerned person would have to face the music as per law.
The notification stated “It has been brought to the notice of Health Department that home-based COVID testing kits are being used for COVID testing but the information about positive cases is not being brought to the notice of Health Authorities. Under Epidemic Disease Act, every COVID positive case has to be notified to authorities for public health action. Accordingly, details about the positive cases tested by home-based COVID testing kits by residents must be conveyed immediately to COVID Helpline number 9779558282.”
“Any violation of these instructions will invite appropriate action under the relevant Act/Rules/Instructions. Further, given the daily increase of COVID cases in the UT and the ongoing festive season, all residents of the UT Chandigarh are advised to strictly comply with COVID-19 norms,” it added.
While talking to The Daily Guardian, Punjab Health Minister O P Soni said, “We cannot afford any such cases. We will take stern action on those people who are doing such practice and not informing concerned officials regarding their Covid status. We will soon release notification on the same.”