Pics: Yahya hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (MS)
Bhatkal, May 8: The people are the district are shocked to learn that 12 people of Bhatkal origin have tested positive for Covid-19 in single day.
The people of the district were apprehensive after coronavirus infection was noticed in the 18-year-old girl of the taluk after 20 days. Now the confirmation of infection in 12 people has jolted the public.
Six people, family members of the infected young girl, six neighbours, one person of the next street, one person who lives near highway and four people of another street have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.
Areas namely Madeena Colony, Usmainya Colony, Nawayath Colony, Tengungundi Cross, Hindu Colony, Kukti Nagar, Jali Cross and Azad Nagar are sealed down by officials.
The infected people include a five-month-old baby, a three year old boy, elderly men aged 83 and 60, elderly woman aged 75, a 38-year-old woman, a man aged 30 years and four young women aged 25, 22, 12 and 11 years.
It is said that 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.
The young woman had gone to the government hospital on May 4 as she developed body pain and fever. Her throat culture was sent for test. Lab report confirmed that the young woman is infected with Covid-19. Later the throat culture samples of the family members of the infected young woman and more than 100 others were sent for testing. Now it is confirmed that 12 of them are having the infection.
In the wake of the confirmation of coronavirus to 12 people, Dinakar K Shetty, MLA of Kumata-Honnavar legislative constituency has written a letter to the DC of Uttara Kannada district urging the complete seal down of Bhatkal taluk.
The letter written by MLA Dinakar to DC says, "As coronavirus infection is confirmed in one person on May 6 and further 12 people on May 8, the people of my constituency of Honnavar are under panic. I request you to completely seal down Bhatkal taluk and close all the approaching borders that connect Bhatkal to Honnavar and increase testing. Only allow emergency vehicles that taken patients for treatment and goods vehicles supplying essentials."