Blossom Trust worked in partnership with the Health Department of the Greater Chennai Corporation (G.C.C.) as the implementing agency for the Community Intervention Project (CIP). This project aimed to identify high-risk households and improve COVID-19 tracing to curb the threat of community spread.

 

Tamil Nadu has been one of the most affected states by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Chennai being an epicentre, experiencing high levels of infections and fatalities. The widespread community transmission in parts of Chennai, meaning that individuals with no reported contact with infected people were found to be positive, called for coordinated action from NGOs, civil societies and the government to trace, treat and contain the spread of the coronavirus.

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Blossom Trust embarked on a partnership with the Greater Chennai Corporation.

Blossom Trust was responsible for Zone 12 of Chennai for the Community Intervention Project. The key activities of the project were as follows:

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1. Mapping of intervention areas 

2. Risk profiling and vulnerability assessment

3. Referral to primary healthcare centres

4. Interpersonal communication 

5. Monitoring and evaluation

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During this project, our team conducted house-to-house visits, creating a comprehensive map of the area and undertook risk profiling per household. By approaching households directly, our Outreach Workers (ORWs) were able to identify individuals who were presenting with symptoms of COVID-19. The ORW then referred symptomatic people to the local Primary Healthcare Centre for testing and treatment. With regular field visits, the ORW were able to monitor the isolation of confirmed cases and family members, aiming to stem community transmission.

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We worked in the following areas:

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