As many as 10 coronavirus cases have surfaced from various sectors of Bokaro Steel township in the last 48 hours, heightening concerns among the PSU’s top management that has asked employees to adhere to a fresh set of guidelines that include regular temperature checks and working from home.

Among the 10 new cases is a Bokaro Steel employee, a CISF man deployed at the plant, a district transport office staffer, a police sub-inspector and some residents of the township. Company officials are trying to ascertain whether the BSL employee who tested positive had visited the plant recently or not.

The total number of active cases in the district now stand at 39.

A tanker sprays disinfectants in Bokaro town areas on Sunday Surendra Kumar

The city police station, where the sub-inspector who tested positive was posted, has been closed. Tests have been conducted on 30 cops attached to the station. SP Chandan Kumar Jha said all 30 have been told to quarantine themselves at home until their test reports arrive.

New containment zones have been set up based on the new cases. According to an administration officer, micro-containment zones have been set up at sectors 8, 9, 4, 3 and 2; Cooperative Colony and other areas within the BSL township.

Bokaro deputy commissioner Mukesh Kumar said, “Contact tracing of Covid-19 patients is on in BSL’s township. We are also getting tests done on their family members, neighbours, friends and others who they have come in contact with.”

The PSU management has activated a number of its teams, including those from its fire services, water and public health, to begin sanitisation work immediately. BSL chief of communication Manikant Dhan said, “Effort is on to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading within the BSL township and plant. Sanitisation work is being done continuously in various areas of the township and plant.”

BSL has issued a fresh advisory for its employees and officials, depending on their place of stay. If an employee’s residence is within a containment zone, he/she has been asked to work from home. Employees joining duty have been asked to carry hand sanitizers. Temperature checks on employees are being carried out in various offices of BSL.

“In the wake of the emerging situation, all employees have been advised to strictly abide by social distancing norms and hygiene guidelines at all times. Besides, employees have been told that they shall be allowed entry into office premises only if they come with a face mask. They will have to wear mask at all the times,” said Dhan.