TrivandrumLife>> Three fishermen, who died after their boat capsized at Anchutengu, have tested positive for Covid 19 on Thursday. Swab samples collected from Thankachan, 55, Alex, 47 and Praveen, 33, who died on Wednesday, showed positive results in the test conducted ahead of post-mortem. The results point to the need of intensifying Covid 19 tests in coastal regions, where the number of tests drastically went down in the past few weeks.
Rural SP B Ashok said the funeral will be conducted following Covid 19 protocols. The bodies were sent to Medical college for post mortem.
Several coastal areas such as Anchutengu and Kadinamkulam have been witnessing resistance from the public against testing and quarantine norms. Following this, there was a sharp decline in the number of tests in the coastal areas. Sources in the health department said that the number of tests reduced to 40-50 in the last few weeks as only a few turn up for testing.
Rural SP said that most of the coastal people are yet to realise the seriousness of the testing. “We have been conducting various awareness programmes. The people, mostly daily wage labourers, are wary because of the wage loss. Recently we made it mandatory to produce Covid negative certificates to conduct sale of fish outside containment zones,” he said.
Health officials said that the test positivity rate in areas such as Anchutengu and Kadinamkulam is around 17-20 %. Health officials said that even if the number of tests were intensified, it will be difficult to identify asymptomatic cases.
Jisha Surya is a media professional with over a decade of experience in various media houses including The New Indian Express and Times of India. She covers city infrastructure, social issues, and lifestyle stories.
