Hyderabad: Quarantine Units Hastily Wound Up in Rajendranagar

Hyderabad: In what can be termed as one step forward and four backwards, just three days after quarantine facilities were set up in nine institutions, two hostels and one guest house at Rajendranagar, the government developed cold feet in face of intense agitation by the locals and hastily wound up the facilities by taking self-declaration from the people suspected to symptoms and let them leave on Thursday in the evening.

As soon as the decision to set up quarantine centres at the institutes was announced, locals living nearby raised a hue and cry fearing the spread of coronavirus as the areas are populated.

Officials have been tight-lipped on the sudden decision but people in the know of things said on condition of anonymity that the backlash from locals and reports that the facilities were not up to the mark may be the decision to wind up. Protests were reported from Rajendranagar, Himayatsagar and Gandipet against the setting up of quarantine facility. Even some inmates created ruckus over their detention and obstructed the arrangements made there to keep the suspected cases under quarantine.

It was on March 17 that the Tahsildar, Rajendranagar mandal, was authorised to set up quarantine centres for suspected international travellers. NIRD, NAARM, MANAGE, NIPHM, PITSAU, Hostel A (Anandanilayam), International Hostel, PJTSAU, IIOR, Borlock Guest House, Bheemaiah Nilayam Hostel –D, TSCAB CTA and ICM were designated. All these buildings have ample space for vehicle parking.

It is said that even the senior scientists were not happy with the decision as they had to stay put 24/7 and also they were at risk. A senior scientist said that every other day there is a workshop or seminar in one or the other institute.

There are close to a dozen research institutes in a15-km stretch with more than 24 colonies abutting them with close to 10 lakh people residing.

Complaints of lack of proper arrangement made at quarantine facilities at NIRD Rajendranagar as well as in Gacchibowli Sports Complex could be a reason for the evacuation, said Manohar, a resident.

"We received the orders yesterday night to evacuate the facility. Accordingly, the quarantine facilities in Rajendranagar as well as Gachibowli were wound up and evacuation of inmates was carried out over the night taking a self declaration," said an official.

It is very difficult to keep them there. Rapid response teams are being deployed wherever the cases are being detected. These teams are put on an active surveillance and tracing the positive cases and they are well prepared with therapeutic facilities. In case of positive cases, the teams are taking up isolation process at Chest Hospital, Gandhi and Osmania hospitals in order to arrest the spread of the virus, added the sources.

In the meantime, the sources added fumigation is being taken up by the GHMC sanitation staff in areas where the positive cases were detected. So, there is nothing to be panic as the officials and staff of public as well as medical administration was put on active mode and are thoroughly supervision the situation.

Be that as it may, the residents of surrounding areas, who were anxious since the reports of setting up of quarantine were emerged in the media, are heaving a huge sigh of relief.

WHY WERE THEY CHOSEN?

Quarantine centres came up for suspected international travellers. NIRD, NAARM, MANAGE, NIPHM, PITSAU, Hostel A (Anandanilayam), International Hostel, PJTSAU, IIOR, Borlock Guest House, Bheemaiah Nilayam Hostel –D, TSCAB CTA and ICM were designated. All these buildings have ample space for vehicle parking. 

WHY THE ROLLBACK

• As soon as news spread, locals became livid and raised a hue and cry, fearing spread of virus in their areas

• It is said even senior scientists were not happy with the decision. Every other day there is a workshop or seminar in some or other institute

• There are close to a dozen research institutes in a15-km stretch with more than 24 colonies abutting them

• Complaints of lack of proper arrangement made at quarantine facilities could also be a major reason