GUILHERME ALMEIDA
MARGAO
How’s life at a quarantine unit, more so for those quarantined as a
matter of abundant caution after coming in contact with positive
cases?
Well, if health officials are to be believed, those quarantined at the
Margao Residency are put up in individual single-bedrooms sans
air-conditioned facility. And, there’s no cable TV facility too. But,
they all have to undergo a 14-day quarantine, if not more depending
on the arrival of the test reports, at the expense of the State
exchequer.
Almost all the 66-rooms in the Residency have no air-conditioned
facility and Cable TV. The AC facility as well as the Cable TV have
been disconnected on health grounds. If health officials are to be
believed, those quarantined, however, have access to their cell
phones and food provided by the district administration. Some of
the inmates, sources say, have now access to kettles so that they can
make their own tea and consume warm water at any time of the day.
While some of the kettles were supplied by the district authorities,
many others came in as donations.
And, those who are tired of food supplied by the administration
have the option of ordering food delivered through the home
delivery service providers. “One thing we should keep in mind that
persons, who are quarantined at the Margao Residency are not
patients. They have only been quarantined as a matter of abundant
precaution to rule out the possibility of getting the virus after
coming in contact with the positive cases”, remarked a senior health
official.
Sources say there’s no special diet prepared for these people, except
for those who suffer from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes,
hypertension etc. “At the time of their quarantine, officials have
taken note of their brief history, including their medical background,
whether they suffer from any of the life-style diseases. Based on the
information, diet is provided to these inmates”, sources said.
Though the rooms are without Cable TV, the inmates are allowed to
carry with them their cell phones.
And, if a health official is to be believed, counsellors appointed by
the health services get in touch with the inmates on phone,
counseling them to tide over their problems, if any.
To ensure that inmates get round the clock medical facility, Health
services have set up a makeshift medical unit in the Margao
Residency to take care of any emergency. The unit comprises of five
doctors, nurses, para-medics and the cleaning staff, all working in
shifts.
While the 66-room Margao Residency has started operating as a
quarantine centre in Margao, the authorities have also requisitioned
the Colva Residency to meet the requirements in case of any
emergency.
Fortunately, none of the 126 persons quarantined at the Margao
Residency have tested positive till date, most of them have returned
home with official discharge from the health authorities.
