The Jharkhand health department released a helpline number to address problems of post-Covid complications of patients.

The Nistha Swasthya Sampark post Covid helpline 07314821385 was launched by state health minister Banna Gupta on Monday.

“The helpline number would provide free post-Covid care for recovered patients in four intervention districts of Jharkhand, Ranchi, East Singhbhum (Jamshedpur), Dhanbad and Bokaro and help set up teleconsultation platform with specialists and super specialists to address their problems.

“It will also provide continuity of care and support for patients with chronic conditions, rural residents, elderly and those with disabilities,” Gupta said.

Covid death families

The state health department has directed the deputy commissioners of all the 24 districts on Sunday to start a survey based on social and economic aspects of families of families who have lost earning members due to the second wave of Covid-19. The districts have to complete the survey and submit it to the health department by June 25.

The survey findings will help the government plan welfare schemes for the rehabilitation and uplift of the families that have lost their members to Covid-19.

New cases

Additional chief secretary (health) Arun Kumar Singh has also directed all deputy commissioners that all Covid-19 positive patients should be compulsorily brought to the Covid hospitals and no home isolation shall be granted.

The letter also states that all possible contacts of positive patients must be tested within 24 hours.

“In view of the steep decline in number of Covid cases across states and with easing of restrictions in other states there can be an influx of passengers from other states with higher positivity rates which might lead to an increase in the Covid infection in Jharkhand. Earlier, we had shortage of beds but now with enough beds we do not want to take risk on new cases and they would have to be hospitalised for treatment,” said state health nodal officer Siddharth Tripathy.

Meanwhile, the state on Sunday witnessed only two deaths due to Covid taking the total mortality figure to 5,084. The day also witnessed 154 new cases taking the active load 3,395.