As many health professionals in the national capital got infected with coronavirus, the Delhi government on Friday asked the Medical Directors to seek written explanation from such health workers as to how they were infected.
In an order, Padmini Singla, Secretary (Health and FamilyWelfare) said the health workers should explain how they became a contact inspite of wearing the required protective gear, maintaining safe distance andfollowing precautions prescribed for healthcare workers.
The May 1 order said it is reported that many doctors,nurses, paramedics and other staff in non-COVID hospitals are either gettinginfected or reported as a contact of infected persons.
“Medical Directors are indiscriminately sending them inquarantine either at hotels or their homes for 14 days. This practice iscausing an unnecessary shortage of doctors and staff in hospitals.”
The order said it seems it is because either hospitals arenot following standard SOPs or such persons are not following guidelinesprescribed for healthcare workers.The order said a Medical Director is alsorequired to constitute a team of doctors to ascertain whether a contact fulfilsthe Central government’s guidelines to be declared as the contact of a positivepatient.