Sikkim to convert schools, halls to COVID-19 quarantine centres

The Sikkim government may convert the schools, community centers, and the halls to quarantine centers for COVID-19. With the increase in the return of stranded people, the state has witnessed a shortage of quarantine facilities.

Speaking to the media here at Gangtok, Sikkim, the Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Pempa Tshering Bhutia said that it's tuff time as Sikkim is screening less the 500 returnees per day as of now. However, the number of returnees is more than 1000 by special train provided by the Government of Sikkim from Karnataka, the manpower in the screening centre at Rangpo and Melli have to be re-strengthening creating more cabins for screening purposes.

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Dr. Pempa said, with a consultation with District Magistrate East and South, 9 extra cabins, six for East and three for South were arranged.

The issue of shortage of facilitated quarantine centers was also discussed on May 18 at State level Task Force meeting chaired by Sikkim Chief Secretary, SC Gupta, and have been directed to adopt more schools, halls, and community centers for the accommodation of the returnees.

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The state has no confirmed coronavirus case as of now. A total of 2722 people have been tested for COVID-19; of which 377 reports are awaited and rest 2178 reports are reported negative.

Moreover, Dr. Pempa informed that the installation of the flu testing lab and its equipment in Sikkim is over and is waiting for the approval of ICMR for its functionality. “Once we get the approval, the Department of microbiology will start function of the lab,” he added.

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