Dists grapple with surge in daily cases

Thiruchirapalli

As part of the containment measures, the authorities have been conducting fever camps that were successful in Chennai but without the same outcome elsewhere. Health officials in Vellore said it was proving to be a difficult task to make people attend the camps. “The fear of being quarantined is the main reason why they hesitate. They have to be coaxed and cajoled by the Corporation staff visiting houses to make them attend the camps,” said an official.

The easy connectivity of Ranipet and Tirupattur to Vellore and Chennai is another reason for increased cases in the region. “Many from Pernambut and Gudiyattam work in the tanneries in Tirupattur and hence have a higher risk of virus transmission. Though we advised tanneries to inform us, it is rarely done. We can’t stop them from entering, as their livelihoods would be affected,” said collector MP Sivan Arul.

Similarly in Ranipet, many locals work in Chennai. “They cannot be stopped from going to Chennai. But it is doubtful that the workplaces follow protocols like safe distancing and hand washing. Most cases we get are those infected due to contacts at work,” he added. In the western districts, particularly Coimbatore, the district administration has been racing against time to set up another 350 bed centre at CODISSIA complex.