Koyambedu turns super spreader

Senior officials appointed as nodal officers to monitor COVID preventive measures on Saturday began inspections in corona hotspots of Chennai and insisted upon the field officials to track the source of the virus, which is becoming cumbersome. The team will also visit Koyambedu on Sunday to checkout modalities that need to be taken to arrest the further spread of the pandemic.

“Koyambedu wholesale market has become a COVID cluster with more than 100 direct cases. The traders from Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tambaram who frequented Koyambedu have contracted the virus and through lorry drivers, the virus has now spread to districts like Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Villupuram and Tiruchy. Further, a few lorry drivers have also illegally moved public from Chennai to other districts,” an informed official said adding that the infected people are now being tracked.

“Lack of food and depletion of cash is also forcing people to venture out during lockdown.

Through district Collectors, the field officials are now collecting area-specific solutions to arrest public movement. The Collectors are also tracking the truck drivers who had frequented the Koyambedu wholesale market,” the official added.

According to Secretariat sources, a few officebearers of Koyambedu traders’ association have also developed symptoms of COVID and have participated in a recent meeting with government officials, held to discuss the decentralisation of Koyambedu. The government staff who have been in touch with the Koyambedu traders are now being screened, sources said adding since traders have become vulnerable for the virus, they should now volunteer for COVID tests.