PATHANAMTHITTA : Given the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, those traveling abroad and failing to contact health department up on subsequent return, shall face strict action said Health Minister KK Shailaja. Those returning from China, North Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan should compulsorily report at monitoring centres including the one set up at the airport. Individuals who skip this procedure, would face legal action under public health hazard laws. In such situation, cases would be registered against offending individuals, who will be charged for perpetrating infectious ailment.
Govt has upped the ante following the Pathanamthitta incident, where a family of three from Italy skipped screening at airport and subsequently transmitted the virus to relatives. The family did not make known their corona virus infection, resulting in two of their relatives catching the ailment, said Pathanamthitta District Collector PB Nooh. He dismissed the family’s claim that they did not hide their health status and that they had voluntarily approached the hospital. The family upon return from Italy, went to the hospital and got prescriptions for fever. They were later forced into hospitals after their relatives were down with the virus. There has been huge lapse on part of these individuals, the Collector said. The aged parents of those infected have been moved to Kottayam Medical College.
Meanwhile biometric punching for KSRTC employees has been put on hold in Pathanamthitta. Staff onboard buses have been advised to wear masks. Court proceedings in the district were put off for five days. Presently, 15 persons are in various hospitals of the district, being looked up for the virus. Efforts are underway to create greater awareness on the virus among migrant population in the State. The District Collector has requested public to postpone marriage functions if possible, for two weeks now.
Six persons in the State have been confirmed with the virus including a 5-year-old from Pathanamthitta and 3-year-old in Kochi. The Pathanamthitta cases were traced back to the family of three that arrived from Italy. Incidentally, the three-year-old in Kochi belongs to the family that returned from Italy there. The toddler was detected with symptoms of the ailment right at the airport.
The health officials in their meeting sensed likelihood of more individuals turning positive for the virus. Efforts have been intensified track people with possible exposure to the virus.
