Coronavirus pandemic: GVMC to ramp up surveillance in Vizag

With Vizag reporting its fourth positive coronavirus case, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has stepped up surveillance in the city to contain the spread of the deadly virus. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, a review meeting via video conference was held on Friday. Additional Commissioners, Thameem Ansariya, and AV Ramani, Paderu Sub-Collector, Dr Venkateswara Rao, and others took part in the meeting. 

During the meeting, GVMC Commissioner G Srijana (IAS) instructed the officials to monitor the sanitation, especially in the localities where people from overseas and other states have been home quarantined. Following the instructions suggested by Dr Venkateswara Rao, she informed that a doctor and an Asha worker will be assigned for each ward to inspect the home quarantined individuals.

The Municipal Commissioner said that the zonal officers should stay connected with the doctors working at the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres of the respective zones. Furthermore, she ordered the district authorities to maintain strict surveillance and update the statistical details up to 3 km of areas where coronavirus cases have been reported. She also advised to stock up chlorine solution, bleaching powder, lime, and other disinfectants.

Later, GVMC Additional Commissioner Dr V Sasi Rao, was instructed to communicate to the public about measures to be taken for coronavirus control through bulk messages. The town planning and revenue departments have been informed to shut down all the shops, except those selling milk, vegetables and pharmacies.