Skip to main content

Modified guidelines for Covid

  Testing strategy of COVID-19 Govt. of West Bengal (dated 11.01.2022) 

Who may be tested: 

A. In community settings:  

1. Symptomatic individuals  

2. Contact of laboratory confirmed cases  

a) Symptomatic  

b) Asymptomatic if >60 years of age and individuals with co-morbidity like diabetes,  chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease (with or without dialysis), malignancy,  obesity  

3. Symptomatic pregnant women and asymptomatic pregnant women with history of contact  in or near labour  

4. Individuals undertaking international travel (as per country specific requirements)  5. International travelers arriving at airports/seaports/ ports of entries  

B. In Hospital settings:  

Testing may be undertaken as per discretion of the treating doctor with the following  considerations:  

1. No emergency procedure (including surgeries and deliveries) should be delayed for lack of a  test.  

2. Patients once tested positive for COVID-19 should not be retested.  

3. Elective procedures can be considered after 2 weeks of COVID-19 positivity in patients  without co-morbid conditions. Concerned doctors will decide regarding elective procedures  in patients with co-morbidity.  

4. Admitted patients should only be tested if found symptomatic for COVID-19.

People who need not to be tested:  

1. Asymptomatic individuals in community settings.  

2. Contacts of confirmed cases unless identified as high risk [age>60 years, and individuals with co morbidity like diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease (with or without dialysis),  malignancy, obesity]  

3. Patients who stand discharged as per home isolation guideline.  

4. Patients being discharged from a COVID-19 facility as per revised discharged policy. 



Government of West Bengal  

Directorate of Health Services  

PH & CD Branch  

Swasthya Bhawan (Wing-B, 1st Floor)  

Block-GN, No.-29, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700 091 

Memo. No.-HPH/9M-21-2010/Pt III/12 Dated: Kolkata, the 11th January, 2022  

 CIRCULAR 

The “Revised guidelines for Home Isolation of mild/asymptomatic Covid-19  cases” issued by the MOH&FW (GOI) on 05.01.2022 and endorsed by the Dept. of  Health & FW (GOWB) is circulated herewith for information of all concerned. The  said guidelines, the revised testing strategy for the State and a brief note in Bengali for  home isolation are enclosed for ready references.  

The guidelines may be followed by all functionaries in the State. To determine  the end of isolation for the mild/asymptomatic cases, the direction given in the  MOHFW document will have to be followed henceforth.  

    Director of Medical Education. Director of Health Services

  Govt. of West Bengal Govt. of West Bengal 

Memo. No.-HPH/9M-21-2010/Pt III/12/1(12) Dated: Kolkata, the 11th January, 2022  

Copy forwarded for information & necessary action to:-  

1) The Secretary (PHP) and MD,NHM, Govt. of West Bengal.  

2 ) The Programme Officer-I/II, NHM, Govt. of West Bengal.  

3) The Principal, all Medical Colleges for wide circulation please. 

4) The Director, IPGMER/STM, Kolkata for wide circulation please.  5) The MSVP, all Medical Collage & Hospitals.  

6) The Addl. D.H.S.(Personnel), Govt. of West Bengal.  

7) The Dy. D.H.S. (Hospital Administration), Govt. of West Bengal.  8) The Dy. D.H.S. (Admn.), Govt. of West Bengal. 

9) The C.M.O.H., all Districts for wide circulation please.  

10) The C.M.H.O., K.M.C.  

11) The Dy. C.M.O.H.-II, all Districts.  

12) The State IT Coordinator for web posting.  

   Jt. Director of Health Services  

(PH&CD), West Bengal


Dated 9th January 2022 

Government of India 

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 

Revised Advisory for managing Health Care Workers (HCWs) working in COVID and Non COVID areas of the Health Care Facilities 

1. Background 

The health work force is a valuable resource for the country. The health care personnel working in hospitals  are at increased risk of acquiring the COVID-19 disease, if there is a breach in the personal protection while  managing patients. It is important to ensure proper advisory to protect Health care Workers (HCWs) particularly in context of safety from Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) while managing COVID-19.  

2. Purpose of the document 

The purpose of the document is to provide guidance on the following:  

a) Prevention measures to be observed at the Institution/facility level. 

b) Testing and isolation measures for health care functionaries. 

3. Institutional Mechanism for preventing and responding to Healthcare Associated Infections  (HAIs) among HCWs 

All health facilities shall activate its Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC). The HICC in the health  facility is responsible for implementing the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities and organizing  regular trainings on IPC for HCWs. 

A Nodal Officer (Infection Control Officer) shall be identified by each health facility to address all matters  related to Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). With reference to preventing such infection among  healthcare workers, the nodal officer will ensure that: 

i. Healthcare workers in different settings of hospitals shall use PPEs appropriate to their risk profile. ii. All healthcare workers have undergone training on Infection Prevention and Control and they are  aware of common signs and symptoms, need for self-health monitoring and need for prompt  reporting of such symptoms. 

iii. Provisions have been made for regular (thermal) screening of all hospital staff. iv. All HCWs are vaccinated with 2 doses of the COVID vaccine and also take the precautionary third  dose as per prescribed protocol. 

v. Provisions have been made for prompt reporting of breach of PPE by the hospital staff and follow  up action. 

4. Action for Healthcare Workers 

i. Ensure that all preventive measures like frequent washing of hands/use of alcohol based hand  sanitizer, respiratory etiquettes (using tissue/handkerchief while coughing or sneezing), etc. are  followed at all times.

Page 1 of 3 

ii. Appropriate PPE is used at all times while on duty. 

iii. A buddy system* to be followed to ensure that there is no breach in infection prevention control  practices. 

iv. Any breach in PPE and exposure is immediately informed to the nodal officer/HoD of the  department 

v. HCWs after leaving the patient care units (wards/OPDs/ICUs) at the doctor’s duty  rooms/hostels/canteen or outside the HCF must follow physical distancing and masking to prevent  transmission to/acquiring infection from other HCWs who may be positive. 

vi. Pregnant/lactating mothers and immuno-compromised healthcare workers shall inform their  medical condition to the hospital authorities for them to get posted in appropriate areas. 

*Buddy system: Under this approach, two or more-person team is formed amongst the deployed hospital  staff who share responsibilities for his/her partner’s safety and well-being in the context of (i) Appropriately  donning and doffing of PPEs, (ii) maintaining hand hygiene and (iii) taking requisite steps on observing  breach of PPEs. 

5. SOP for health work force deployment during COVID-19 

5.1 SOP to be followed in case HCW reports exposure/breach of PPE 

All the Healthcare workers must report every unprotected exposure/ breach of PPE while managing  COVID-19 patients to the concerned nodal officer and HoD of the concerned department immediately. Such exposed HCWs shall continue to work wearing appropriate PPE and test themselves at day 5 of the  exposure or if symptoms develop anytime within 14 days from the day of exposure. 

5.2 SOP to be followed in case HCW reports symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 

5.2.1 If any healthcare worker who is manifesting signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, he/she  will be tested & isolated immediately and if tested positive the following actions shall be taken: 

a. In case of mild case, HCW will have an option of home isolation, subject to the conditions  stipulated in the “Revised guidelines for Home Isolation of mild /asymptomatic COVID-19  cases” (available at:  https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedHomeIsolationGuidelines05012022.pdf). Such cases  would end their home isolation as per timeline provided in the said guidelines. 

b. In cases where home isolation is not feasible, such mild cases will be admitted to a COVID  Care Center. 

c. Moderate cases that require oxygen therapy shall be managed at a Dedicated COVID Health  Center. 

d. Severe cases will be managed in a Dedicated COVID Hospital. 

5.2.2. HCWs can resume duties while wearing appropriate PPEs if symptoms have resolved (except mild  cough), and they are afebrile for 3 successive days. 

Page 2 of 3 

5.2.3. Those HCWs who test negative and continue to be symptomatic, will be treated in non-COVID  ward as per their clinical diagnosis. They can resume work based on the clinical diagnosis and the  medical certification by the treating doctor. 

5.2.5 Discharge of COVID-19 positive HCWs will be in accordance with the discharge policy  (available at: 

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedDischargePolicyforCOVID19updatedon9thJanuary2022.p df). 

5.3 Regular quarantine of healthcare workers after performing duty in COVID-19 areas Quarantine/isolation of healthcare workers, other than stipulated above is not warranted.






Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Calculation of Half pay leave

 West Bengal Service Rules Calculation procedure of Half-pay Leave (a) The present system of crediting half-pay leave for 20 days in respect of a Government employee for his each completed year of service is being dispensed with. From 1st July, 2001, the half-pay leave account of every Government employee shall be credited with half-pay leave in advance in two instalments of ten days each on the first day of January and July of every calendar year. (b) The leave shall be credited to the said leave account at the rate of 5/3 days for each completed calendar month of service which a Government employee is likely to render in the half-year of the calendar year in which he is appointed. (c) The credit for the half-year in which a Government employee is due to retire or resigns from the service shall be allowed at the rate of 5/3 days per completed calendar month up to the date of retirement or resignation. (d) When a Government employee is removed or dismissed from service or dies whil...
Post a Comment
Read more

Casual leave and special Casual Leave

 Casual leave Rule  207 . A Government employee on casual leave is not treated as absent from duty and his pay during such leave is not interrupted. Casual leave shall not, however, be given so as to cause an evasion of the rules regarding (1) date of reckoning allowance - Rule 26; (ii) charge of office - Rule 28; or so as to extend the term of any leave beyond the time admissible by rule. (ii) commencement and end of leave - Rules 154, 158, 159 and 160; (iv) return to duty - Ditto; Appendix No. 10 Instructions regarding the grant of Casual Leave Note: 1. The Heads of Offices or the Heads of Departments when they themselves are the Head of Offices, may grant casual leave to the officers and staff under them, provided that where the question relates to the casual leave of the Head of the Office or the Head of the Department himself, sanction of the next higher authority to whom he is directly subordinate shall be obtained. The power to grant casual leave to subordinate officers...
Post a Comment
Read more

Attendance at Offices for government employees

Attendance at Offices for government employees (West Bengal)   GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL Finance Department Audit Branch No. : 6994-F Kolkata, the 3rd July, 1992 MEMORANDUM Orders have been issued from time to time regarding punctuality in attendance of Government employees. In Finance Department No. 6470-F dated 28/05/87 it has been clearly stated that any employee coming more than 15 minutes after the scheduled time of attendance will be marked late. It has also been stated in the said memo that an employee may be allowed to sign the attendance register and record attendance within a maximum of 1 1/2 hours of the scheduled time of attendance. Any body coming thereafter will be marked absent. 1. In terms Notification No. 6959-F, Dt. 02/07/92 all offices under the Government of West Bengal with some exceptions shall remain closed on all Saturday and the hours of work (on working days) in such offices shall be from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. with an interval of 30 minutes from 1.30 p.m. t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Scheme for voluntary retirement of State Government employees on completion of 20 years qualifying service

  GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL FINANCE DEPARTMENT AUDIT BRANCH                    No.6620-F                                   Calcutta,the 20 th August.1981.   MEMORANDUM   Subject: Scheme for voluntary retirement of State Government employees   on completion of 20 years qualifying service .     In pursuance of the recommendation of the Pay Commission, West Bengal, the Governor has been pleased to decide that the State Government employees who have put in not less than 20 years qualifying service may, by giving notice of 3 months in writing to the appointing authority, retire from Service voluntarily. This Scheme is purely voluntary the initiative resting with the Government servant himself. The Government does not ha...
Post a Comment
Read more