CHANDIGARH: The drop in coronavirus infections has allowed the municipal corporation (MC) to reduce its contact tracing teams from 26 to eight.
The decision was taken a couple of days back following discussions with officers and experts in the health department of the UT administration.
The second wave of Covid had tested the MC.
Increasing teams and hiring trained employees during that time, especially last year, had been difficult.
The authority has this time come up with a plan “We have identified 29 department-wise employees of the civic body.
They can be called on a single day’s notice to set up more contact tracing teams.
We have also hired people on outsourcing basis.
They will be with us for two to six months.
We will not face any problem of manpower if teams are to be increased,” an official said.
Earlier, when the cases had declined after the first wave, the teams had been reduced from nine to three.
Later, as the cases started increasing, the teams had been increased to nine, then 18, and 26 finally.
Sub-divisional magistrates had also been involved in the work of monitoring Covid patients and their families.