Foreign returnees in Bhatkal to be quarantined separately after one tests positive

Bhatkal, Karnataka: The district administration in Uttara Kannada has decided to move all foreign returnees to Bhatkal since March 19 into a separate quarantine facility.

As on Tuesday, eight from Bhatkal in Karnataka tested positive for Covid-19 and are under treatment at naval hospital INHS Patanjali in Karwar.

Of those who tested positive, four are from the same family. Few days after a person who returned from Dubai was tested positive, three of his family members too were tested positive with the virus.

With the number of affected cases on the rise, a Health Emergency was declared in Bhatkal and nearby villages.

Now going one step ahead to stop the spread of Covid-19, separate arrangements have been made for the foreign return Bhatkalis.

"All those who have returned to Bhatkal after March 15th have been shifted to a separate quarantine facility. Meanwhile, all the identified primary contacts are in government quarantine centers," deputy commissioner Dr K Harish Kumar told Deccan Chronicle.

They are provided with all necessary materials and the district administration is providing them police protection.

As the movement of people is completely restricted in Bhatkal where Health Emergency has been declared, officials have made arrangements not only for the daily essentials but also for medical treatments to be made available at doorstep.

"There may be some people who suffer from a health problem. The family members need not panic. We are here to help them. We have identified doctors who would go to the house of the patient and provide free treatment," Dr Harish Kumar said.

A list of doctors, who are ready to provide treatment in this manner, has been prepared and shared with the people.

The doctors would be stationed at the office of Bhatkal assistant commissioner. As soon as he or the helpline gets a phone call, the doctor would go in the government vehicle to the house of the patient and provide necessary treatment.

If there is a need for further treatment at the hospital, the doctors would convey the message to the officials and the district administration would send the ambulance.

A similar helpline facility has been made for supplying groceries, medicines and other basic needs and has received good response in Bhatkal.