Following appropriate norms and teamwork enables Pune’s housing society to become Covid-free

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<strong>Making a concerted and collective effort has paid handsome dividends for the residents of the Roseland Housing Society as it has become completely Covid-free. Located in Pimple Saudagar, RHS is one of the largest societies in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune.</strong></p>
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In the beginning, the Society was very worried as several of its members had been detected to be Coronavirus positive. It was the sustained efforts and strict following of Covid-appropriate norms, that helped it become the first housing society in the area to become Corona free.</p>
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Talking to the Indian Express, the Chairman of RHS said:  “In early May, we got a real scare when there were 74 active Covid cases in our society on one single day. This month, we don’t have a single case. Those who were in home isolation have completed their period and those in hospital have also returned home.”</p>
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<strong>United stand</strong></p>
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When faced with the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, all the Society members came together. They formed a Covid Protection Team, set up an eight-bed isolation ward and urged the Society residents to get themselves tested the moment they detected any Covid symptom.</p>
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Elaborating on this, Maskar told IE, “We had set up a testing camp on our society premises. The members were asked to get themselves tested. The response was overwhelming. As cases started rising, the Covid Protection team was tasked with getting members tested, helping them get home isolated, roping in doctors to counsel them and helping the patients get hospitalised. Our team also ensured that patients got oxygen or ventilator beds.”</p>
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The team, according to Maskar, played an admirable role in supporting the patients and their families. It was ensured by the Team that no overcrowding took place in any part of the Society; that every member wears a mask; and that everyone maintains social distancing.</p>
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<strong>Isolation facility</strong></p>
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The arrangement of an isolation facility in the housing complex was  beneficial for those families which had more than one Covid infected patient.</p>
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 “If a family has one Covid patient, they can manage. But if there are two or three patients and a lesser number of rooms in a flat, then it becomes a problem. Our isolation centre came as a big boon to our society members. In the facility, we also have three oxygen cylinders in case any patient needs oxygen support. Society members, who are doctors, helped in this task,” averred Maskar.</p>
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The Society made sure that members had access to essential items and necessities. “Vegetable, fruits and grocery were made available on the Society premises. We ensured that the purchases were made in an orderly manner,” recalls Maskar.</p>
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Roseland Housing Society has 1,000 flats and over 4,000 residents. Most of the residents are from outside Pune.</p>
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As vaccination camps  in the residential societies have not been sanctioned yet, the Society is planning to tie-up with a private hospital to get all its members vaccinated.</p>
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Going beyond this, the Society recently felicitated civic workers, acknowledging their support in the fight against the pandemic.</p>