AIIMS halts contact tracing of healthcare workers exposed to Covid-19 amid staff shortage

It has been further decided that asymptomatic healthcare workers may be able to join work after 10 days period from the onset of symptoms provided that they are afebrile for at least the last 24 hours without the use of antipyretics and symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved.

Those who are asymptomatic may join work 10 days from the date of the first positive test.

Amid an alarming rise in the number of COVID-19 patients at the premier facility, Dr Naveet Wig, the head of the department of medicine at AIIMS, who is also the chairperson of the COVID-19 Task Force, on Wednesday had requested all his colleagues from other departments to provide 80 per cent of residents and 80 per cent of faculty members for COVID-19 management.

Dr Wig had said that in view of an alarming rise in a number of COVID-19 patients and the opening of multiple COVID-19 facilities in the hospital, the need of manpower has increased multi-fold.

"To meet this demand, as directed by the director, you are requested to provide 80 per cent of your residents and 80 per cent of your faculty members for COVID-19 management," he had said.

Also Read: More than 500 doctors, health workers of AIIMS Patna, PMCH infected, the hospital faces manpower shortage