Tracing and tracking infected proves tough job for officials

Officials are mulling to make Aadhaar or voter ID a must to weed his menace out. The intensive fever camps started in all the 60 wards of the town to identify those with fever, cough and other coronavirus symptoms. But, an unexpected fallout of the massive effort of the government was that nearly 35 of those who tested positive in the camps have provided fictitious names, phone numbers and addresses. This has forced the officials to seek the help of COVID-19 control room in the Collectorate to trace and track down the original patients.

Moreover, the residents covered by the fever camp just mention the locality of their house without giving the details. They also give dummy phone numbers by reciting any number that comes to their mind, officials said. One patient just mentioned ‘Saidapet’ in the address column. Also while giving their names, the patients give a name by which they are not known in their localities. For example, John Britto, who was usually called Britto, has given his name merely as John. When officials went to his locality, they were informed that none named John lived there. Officials said lack of time to cross check such details due to heavy workload was the reason for the lapses.

With Vellore having crossed 10,000 positive cases as on Wednesday and with more than 200 positive cases being detected on Thursday, officials have warned that those not wearing face masks will be collared for COVID-19 tests. When such a camp was held near CMC Hospital, this warning resulted in some violators taking to their heels on seeing the officials.

Officials are now mulling to ask the patients to come to fever camps with either their Aadhaar or voter Id card to prevent such malpractices.