Bhagalpur: With two Covid-19 patients admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH), the district health department has decided to launch “ring surveillance” in the affected area in accordance with the state health department’s directives.The two patients — a 65-year-old man and his 30-year-old daughter from Laluchak locality in Bhagalpur city — had been suffering from severe cough and cold for the past few days. They were initially treated at a private hospital in Tilkamanjhi before being shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of JLNMCH on Sunday.As part of the ring surveillance, a medical team comprising paramedical personnel will collect samples from the patients’ family members and residents of nearly 500 households within a 5-km radius of their residence to detect whether more people have tested positive or are showing symptoms of Covid-19.Dr Rajkamal Chaudhary, head of the medicine department at JLNMCH, said the condition of both patients had improved over the past 24 hours. “Their peripheral capillary oxygen saturation level is 97%, which is normal. Both patients are under constant monitoring,” he said.Appealing to people not to panic, Dr Chaudhary advised those suffering from severe cough and cold to report to health authorities immediately. “Steps for ring surveillance are being initiated,” he added.Civil surgeon Dr Ashok Prasad said the two Covid-19 patients were undergoing treatment and the health department would carry out further investigation along with the ring surveillance. He advised people to take general precautions, including wearing masks, maintaining hygiene and avoiding crowded places as far as possible.The civil surgeon said an isolation ward had also been set up at Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Sadar (Model) Hospital for patients showing symptoms such as cough, cold and sore throat.Meanwhile, district magistrate Alankrita Pandey has directed health department officials to take preventive measures on a war footing to check any further spread.
