Move to ensure safety of staff: BMO
1500 samples collected from March

Pampore: The health authorities at Sub District Hospital Pampore collected samples all health workers including doctors, paramedics and clerical staff for COVID-19 testing on Tuesday.
BMO Pampore Dr Arshid told Kashmir Reader that the samples were collected as a precautionary measure. “The samples of SDH staff members were collected and sent for laboratory testing in Srinagar to assure all our staff members are safe,” he said.
The SDH Pampore, he said, started collecting samples of suspects from March 1. “Till date approximately 1500 samples were collected. The priority was given to pregnant ladies, samples 200 pregnant ladies were sent to Srinagar for testing,” he said, adding that within next three months they will cover all pregnant ladies for COVID -19.
He added that as per directions of government they collected samples of 500 persons who were quarantined after returning from outside J&K.
“Similarly, samples of 200 services provider including shopkeepers, bakers and milk vendors were collected and processed at Srinagar. The reports returned negative,” he said.
He said that the health authorities in collaboration with officials of revenue and education department have constituted surveillance teams to keep an eye on suspects.

BILAL HABIB