Lack of testing kits, understaffed primary health centres; Vasai-Virar struggles to cope with COVID-19

More than thousand people returned from foreign countries due to the Coronavirus outbreak in the Vasai-Virar region of Palghar district. According to officials this particular region has been struggling to cope with the increasing number of cases. 

As it has eight primary health centres (PHCs), but the centres do not have sufficient protective gear for workers, just one home-quarantine stamp that they all share, and just one person who collects swabs and takes it to the testing centre at Kasturba Hospital in one vehicle.

According to officials the region has so far 606 people- most of whom have returned from the US, Italy, the Gulf states and the Oceania region – as being home-quarantined.

District Health Officer Dr Dayanand Suryawanshi said that 20 of those in home-quarantine have exhibited symptoms, and 18 of these tested negative. Results for two are awaited. "We are taking regular health updates from them," he said.

But as per PHC workers who are working on the field, said that they have not yet received the list of travellers from abroad. "How will we identify and quarantine travellers with just one stamp?" asked a government doctor working in Vasai. 

"Neighbours and a few sensible people with foreign travel history came forward. But a large number of travellers are yet to be identified. This is why the number of symptomatic people or of those in self-isolation is less in the state," said another doctor. The doctor said one in five of the 150 people in self-isolation and kept under close observation are exhibiting symptoms. "But there is no testing kit available," said another. "Also, there is just one person to collect nasal and throat swabs. The number of swab collectors must be increased."