TrivandrumLife>> Segregating areas into micro containment zones is a strategy which is successfully being implemented in the city and rural areas of the district. This strategy was found effective as it would bring only an affected area – a street, a market or ward – which has active cases and primary contacts, under the strict regulations. However, micro containment strategy is yet to be adopted at coastal areas in the district, which were declared containment zones in mid-June.
Karumkulam panchayat in the coastal region of the district was declared containment zone by June 15 when the number of Covid 19 cases witnessed a sharp increase. Soon, community spread was reported in Pulluvila under the panchayat limits. In the subsequent days, the panchayat witnessed strict measures to check the spread of Covid 19. Though the some regulations were eased following decline in the number of cases, status of containment zone is still under review.
“Authorities have eased strict regulations and the area is back to normal. However, since we are from containment zone, it is difficult to go to a hospital even for emergency medical purposes. Covid negative certificate has to be produced to avail treatment. Residents working in other areas also find it tough to go to work due this status. Funeral of people die of natural causes too get delayed due to various norms,” said a resident of Pulluvila.
District medical officer Dr K S Shinu said there was a sharp decline in the positive cases in Karumkulam panchayat. He said that the health department and local body officials have been asked to provide latest figures. “The status will be changes once we get the data,” he said.
Officials in Karumkulam said that they have already provided all data and are waiting for a positive response.
Deputy collector (disaster management) Anu S Nair said that a meeting to discuss introduction of micro containment zones in coastal areas was held on September 5. “It will be implemented soon after reviewing the situation in areas such as Karumkulam panchayat. However, testing has been affected due to reluctance of people in areas such as Kadinamkulam and Anchutengu, where test postivity rate is around 20 %,” he said.
DMO said that reluctance of people towards testing at coastal regions have affected the Covid management works. “Only 10 persons turned up for testing at Anchutengu on Thursday. Of these, one was positive. The results of the three fishermen who drowned in the sea off the Anchutengu coast too turned positive. There are people who still go out for work without understanding the seriousness of the situation. Most of them are daily wage workers. So they will have various difficulties. However, it is not about the health youth. The disease will have serious impacts on the aged and children,” he said.
Rural SP B Ashok said that they were doing various kinds of awareness activities, but indifference of people towards testing and quarantine continues.
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.
