Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 22: The district which had acquired the ‘green zone’ tag due to the efforts of the deputy commissioner and other officials just two weeks ago, is sliding to acquire the red zone tag. The district did not take long to hurtle down to an unenviable position from the proud recognition it recently held.

Perhaps for the first time for any district, Udupi registered 28 new coronavirus cases on a single day. Compared to some other districts, the figures may not be that daunting. Perhaps people never expected so many coronavirus patients to emerge all of a sudden. Some sources have calculated that the district may cross the century mark going by the exodus of migrants from other districts into Udupi. Now, the people are curious to know whether the district administration is equipped to handle so many patients. Another pertinent question is whether proper hygiene is maintained at the quarantine centres now.

Dr TMA Pai Hospital

Already about 7,000 intra-state migrations have happened in the district. There is no account about illegal entrants. Those who came in from abroad, other districts and other states have been provided accommodation in quarantine services created by converting hostels, hotels, schools, halls etc. But a view of the recent coronavirus cases gives rise to the suspicion whether the pandemic is being transmitted through the community. There are allegations that in certain quarantine centres, home food is being supplied and the clothes of the inmates are being sent to their families. The district administration has to look into these allegations.

Intra-state migrants

After the first three coronavirus positive cases were detected in the district, there was a feeling that Udupi district had acquired the safe tag. But the number of patients went on increasing by the addition of those who came from Dubai. Allowing migrants from other states to come in seems to have boomeranged for Udupi district.

There is no doubt that everyone yearns to come back home. As per government order, everyone can go to their home districts. But here, more than other districts, influx from other states seems to have delivered a big blow. Moreover, among the infected persons, considerable number of patients are woman, children and senior citizens.

In addition to people from Dubai, migrants from states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, where high number of COVID-19 patients were found, added to the numbers here. The total number of people who came into the districts stands at 7,355 as at May 20. As many as 2,243 came from Maharashtra, who are in Byndoor, 2,119 are in Karkala and 1,028 have been quarantined at Kundapur.

The newly infected persons have another issue to handle. Finding their travel history has posed the biggest challenge, A total of 6,077 passes have been approved but the district administration is not aware how many will come in through these passes. There is possibility of using fake passes. Issuance of passes has now been passed as there is order banning inter-state movement till May 31.

Udupi has the only COVID-19 hospital in the district. Within a week, the number of cases has increased from 3 to 48. This hospital has 70 beds of which 45 are occupied.

Additional deputy commissioner of the district Sadashiva Prabhu, told Daijiworld that the district administration is fully equipped to take on coronavirus challenge. He agreed that cases of COVID-19 symptoms appearing among people coming from other states is a worrying development. He advised people in the quarantine to pay more attention to maintaining their personal hygiene.