CMCH security guards advise people to wear masks; dean says it is not mandatory

COIMBATORE: Private security guards at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital on Saturday morning advised patients and attendants entering the premises to wear masks as a precautionary measure in the wake of an increase in Covid-19 and flu cases. Security guards at the entrance used megaphones to advise people to wear masks. But CMCH dean Dr A Nirmala clarified that the management had not issued any directive regarding mask usage and that it was not mandatory.

The hospital's security operations are assigned to Krystal Group. Following an increase in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country, the private firm directed its staff members, including security and sanitation workers, to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks at work. The security workers subsequently began advising visitors and patients to wear masks, the dean clarified.

"An inquiry has been initiated against the private firm and its workers. Meanwhile, CMCH has had zero active Covid cases for the past few months. Masks have not been mandated, but it is an advisory action against any respiratory infection that could spread during the monsoon," she said.

P Balusamy, deputy director, department of public health and preventive medicines, confirmed that there were no active cases in the district. He said, "There might be random cases reported in other districts. It is nil in Coimbatore. Also, there might be concerns about other flu cases being on the surge. But only two or three cases were reported in the district, which is absolutely normal.”

“Even if there's a surge in flu or Covid-19, we are well equipped with the materials that were procured during the pandemic. Moreover, the virulency of the Omicron virus that's spreading is not a threat. Our bodies have built a strong immune system against it," he added.

Sources indicated that Tamil Nadu reported 148 active Covid-19 cases. Only one death was reported this year until Friday, they added.