Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (MS)
Bhatkal, May 9: Seven more people including two children and three elderly people have tested positive for coronavirus in the city. This was confirmed by the state health and family welfare in its health bulletin.
On Friday, 12 people of the city had tested positive for Covid-19. The throat swab of 60 people, who were in contact with the 12 affected people was sent to laboratory for testing. Out of this six people of the family of the 18-year-old girl who had tested positive on Friday and a friend of her are now confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19 pandemic.
First Neuro Hospital in Mangaluru (file photo)
The infected seven people include one and a half year old baby, two and a half years old toddler, two girls aged 17 and 23, and two elderly men aged 65 and 68 and a 50-year-old woman.
It may be recalled, the source of this infection is the First Neuro hospital located at Padil in Mangaluru city. Elder sister and brother-in-law of the infected young woman of Bhatkal had gone to Mangaluru on April 19 as their child was not well. They stayed in the house of a known person, got the child treated on April 20 and had returned back to Bhatkal. So the 18-year-old woman, who was in contact with them acquired the infection.
Now the tally of Covid-19 positive cases have reached 31 in the city of Bhatkal itself. Out of this 11 people are already discharged from the hospital after successful recovery. Rest 20 are under treatment now.
The rising number of infected people in the taluk has caused great concern not only to the residents of the taluk but the whole district of Uttara Kannada.
SP Shivprakash Devaraju, who held a press meet said, “As 12 new coronavirus positive cases have come up in Madina colony of Bhatkal, extra precautions are being taken here. I have personally visited Bhatkal and held discussion with officers there. Entire Bhatkal town containment zone is divided into 5 zones. Madina colony region is separated from all other zones and from the main road using permanent bamboo barricades. There will be only one exit and entry point into the colony, guarded all the time by police. Madina colony is completely sealed down.
“Other regions will be also sealed in a day or two where each of these five regions will have only one entry and exit point. Police bandobust is arranged for each region separately. There will be patrolling unit in each region and there will be an in-charge officer for each region. There will picketing points also in each region. Drone surveillance will be done in all regions and violators will be photographed and booked.
“All shops will be closed including medical shops and petrol pumps based on the order by district administration. Essential services including medicines will be supplied only to houses. The list of vans and in-charge’s region wise will be given by deputy commissioner or additional commisoner. But the vans and in-charges will be minimum in number.
“There will be region wise in-charge from police and administration and public for any help or any medical assistance, shall contact them. Help line number shall also function 24/7 for any assistance. For medical emergencies, maximum two attendees shall be allowed only through Government ambulances. Any movement of people in the containment zone will lead to criminal action and will be dealt very strictly. Extensive health screening shall be done by medical teams with the help of police teams.
“Finally an appeal to Bhatkal people is that please take this lockdown seriously. It is our duty to cooperate with the health teams. If there is any symptoms related to coronavirus, immediately inform the authorities. Required help shall be provided.
“Do not pay heed to rumours that are against the administration. The administration is here to help you. People who are circulating fake messages will be caught and will be punished,” he said.