Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a new circular, on April 27, which directs the dialysis centres in the city not to remain shut for more than 24 hours if a COVID-19 patient is detected at their centre. The staff embers at the dialysis centre, if wearing PPEs, need not quarantine if they are exposed to any COVID-19 patient, stated the circular.
The new circular was issued by Dr Sanjay Oak, Chairman, Task Force Committee, following several issues were observed in the operation of dialysis centres. Also, the new circular is an updated order which is contrary to an extent to the previous order issued by the BMC. Earlier, the BMC issued a notice stating that punitive actions will be taken if the centres were found operating without screening patients for COVID-19.
According to the new circular, standard disinfection protocol will be followed if a COVID-19 positive case is found. Further, tests would be done only for those patients who have come in contact with the COVID-19 and staffers wearing PPEs and exposed to such patients need not have to be quarantined. However, for staff members who were exposed to the COVID-19 positive patient and were not wearing PPEs must quarantine. Moreover, as quotes by a national daily, the circular also stated, “Those (staffers) who do not develop symptoms by the seventh day can rejoin work immediately,” the circular stated while amending the 14-day mandatory quarantine for health workers at dialysis centres.
