The COVID-19 epidemic threatens the country and the world. The Bhilwara district of Rajasthan has attracted attention of the nation due to its perseverance during this time. The district ranked second in Rajasthan with 27 corona positive cases last month, and one of the top 10 corona hotspots in the country.
However, since 30th March 2020, the district has reported only one corona positive case, all thanks to the stalwart actions of the district administration. No such decline has been recorded in any other part of the country. Appreciating this successful move, the central government plans to implement the ‘Bhilwara Model‘ in other States as well. It was announced by Union Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba.
The first corona positive case in the district was registered on 19th March of a private hospital doctor. Many in the hospital staff then got infected by the virus through the doctor. In a few days, the number of Bhilwara corona cases increased to 27. The first phase of the curfew was implemented in the district from 20th March, the day after the first case was registered, till 2nd April. The district borders were closed. Checkpoints were been set up on all major highways, and vehicular traffic was banned from entering. Everything was stopped except for essential services.
The district has guided the nation through the service of over 7,000 teams, through the entire county’s lockdown, the identification of suspects, and the quarantine-isolation ward. With over 7,000 teams, this was a success. The team surveyed over 20 million locals in a short time.
Mapping Bhilwara In Corona Zone And Buffer Zone
The area withing one kilometre radius of the BBM private hospital, where the ailing doctor worked, was declared ‘Corona Zone’, and a three-kilometre scope was declared ‘Buffer zone’. Similar zones had been set up around the homes of other corona-positive cases. Through cluster mapping, six areas were identified, and special teams were deployed for continuous screening of the suspects. In all these areas, all service ambulances, police vehicles, screening centers, quarantine centers, and government offices are regularly treated with disinfectants.
Special Training For Medical Staff
Skilled doctors trained the staff of screening and surveying teams on detection of symptoms among individuals who had a travel history, or were in the corona zone, or belonged to surrounding areas. One supervisor was appointed for every 10 survey teams. Every doctor, staff, every person who had come to the hospital, the patients, the coroner, the coroner of the coroner, and every person who came in contact with the coroner were placed in home quarantine.
The 200-bed capacity of the MG hospital in the district was fully devoted to corona testing. It was later raised to 427 beds. Corona suspects were brought in public vehicles and sent back to their home after the examination. Those who had met a corona-positive person and had symptoms were rushed to government isolation wards. Samples were collected and sent for examination. Samples were taken to Jayapura for testing three times daily. Likewise, everyone who was close to COVID-19 positive patients was placed in isolation wards. People who had met the corona-infected (Tier 2) were taken to government quarantine centres.
Corona Captains and Fighters
Corona captains and fighters had been hired in the city and rural areas to oversee all of these activities. Subdivision magistrate in the city, Black Development Officer and Tahsildar were appointed as Corona Captains in the Black and Rural areas. Asha and ANM activists in cities, and sarpanch, panchayat aides, teachers and Asha activists in villages became corona fighters. They oversaw the needs of the home quarantine, the arrival of migrant workers, and other needs.
Supply of Vegetables And Milk For Households
The second phase of the curfew in Bhilwara was implemented from 3rd April 3 till 13th April. As part of this, permits for necessities were also banned. The government supplied vegetables, fruits and milk to households. The government also distributed food parcels to the poor.
Hotel rooms Used As Quarantine Cells
The quarantine centres used 11,659 beds in 22 government hospitals and 1,541 rooms in 27 hotels. Four other private hospitals with a capacity of 25 beds each were taken over for corona services.
Conclusion: Freedom To Local Machinery
The conditions of coronavirus in each region are the same, so what made the Bhilwara COVID-19 case stand out? Most researchers say that we will have to change our fighting strategy towards treating coronavirus accordingly, taking inspiration from the Bhilwara corona strategy. To achieve good results, we must provide necessary facilities for the local machinery, and most importantly, allow them the freedom to work.
The article was first published here.