Chhattisgarh begins mandatory Covid testing for anyone entering the state

Chhattisgarh has started testing everyone entering the state through air, road and rail routes for Covid-19 virus beginning Monday as it struggles to cope with the shortage of oxygen and Remdesivir with over 2.25 lakh infections and 1,993 deaths reported in the last one month alone, said officials.

In a review meeting on Sunday, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel also asked officials to ramp up testing in rural areas where Covid cases are reported to be on the rise.

“Testing should be done at borders, railway stations and airports. A campaign of testing will follow in rural areas since the cases are increasing there. Proper arrangements to be made for sending migrants to isolation centres and hospitals,” Baghel said.

He instructed the health department to ensure continuous availability of testing kits, oxygen cylinders, Remdesivir and other necessary medicines and devices at all Covid treatment facilities and ordered immediate recruitment of necessary medical staff in districts.

The number of active cases in Chhattisgarh has reached 128,019. The state is among the top three—other two being Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh– with more than a hundred thousand active cases. Two days back, the Central government asked it to increase the number of Covid beds to meet with the crisis.