By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, Apr. 21: Amid the resurgence of Covid-19 cases throughout India, the Tibetan settlement of Dekyiling in Dehradun has recorded 184 cases as of Wednesday. The settlement has been classified as a containment zone by the state government and the officials have sealed the premises.
Settlement Officer Norbu spoke to Phayul about the situation on the ground, “There are only four elderly patients who are currently on ventilators; otherwise most cases have symptoms just like the regular flu. We have turned the TB ward into Covid-19 facility to monitor the elders, and used spaces in the settlement including the community hall and an office room for other patients. Families that have tested positive are currently being quarantined at their homes.”
Lack of nurses is one of the worrying factors as the SO remarked, “The nurses have been under a lot of pressure. They are being overworked as they are monitoring over 100 cases. Two of the nurses along with the head of the Covid-19 task force got infected. There are 11 nurses in total; 4 volunteers came forward, and the Doon Buddhist Committee sent two local Indian nurses available for the next two months.”
The Covid-19 task force held a meeting on Apr. 15 and subsequently announced a week-long lockdown to curb the outbreak, but eventually decided to impose lockdown indefinitely until it reached zero-case scenario. “We will be providing essential food and other requirements to the general public during this difficult time,” he further added.
Dekyiling settlement has over 1,500 Tibetan refugees, and is administratively overseen by a representative appointed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) based in Dharamshala.
As of Friday, CTA reported 1837 Covid-19 cases in total, out of which, there are 1648 recovered, 141 active cases, and 48 deaths in India. The administration has vaccinated 13,707 Tibetans including 1215 frontline workers, 8356 people with comorbidities and 3452 people above 45 years of age.
Thank you to all the nurses and volunteers for the sacrifices. Stay safe. Our Sekhung is partying here in the US. It is sad story.