Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/ Udupi (SP)

Mangaluru/ Udupi, May 24: Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, which had done well during the outbreak of coronavirus infection last year, have not been able to exercise grip over the coronavirus situation this time. The fact that positivity rate is climbing when compared to the last two months has given cause for worry.

The district administrations of the twin districts, under the able leaderships of the two deputy commissioners, have been making all out efforts to control the situation in which rural belts too have been witnessing coronavirus infections. The people’s representatives too have been doing their bit in the drive. But unless the people get wholeheartedly involved with the efforts being made to decimate coronavirus infection, it becomes a daunting task to control the situation.

Not only the people, even the local administration bodies, educational institutions etc have to join their hands in this initiative. If that happens, the campaign will definitely be successful.

What people can do

People should get themselves tested on the very day they exhibit symptoms of the disease, and get themselves isolated. If home isolation is not possible, they should get admitted into Covid care centres. Primary contacts should be advised to get themselves tested.

The rules prescribe people to maintain social distance of not less than six feet. Four variants of the virus have so far been detected and their detailed test studies have not yet been completed. Therefore, it is better to stay as far away as possible from other people.

It is necessary to wash hands with soap and take bath on returning home after visiting public places. It is advisable to undertake other activities only after washing their clothes. This will help stop the infection from spreading.

Lockdown is a technique followed to break the chain of infection. It is necessary to stay aloof from forming crowds, playing etc in villages and extensions of the city. It is necessary not to celebrate anything together by forming crowds.

The situation becomes critical if people get medicines on their own from medical shops initially and rush to hospitals when the situation goes out of hands. By then the infection would have passed on to an average to more than 40 others. Therefore, as soon as symptoms are witnessed, we should get tests done.

The district administration can do their bits by increasing the number of tests to break the chain, speed up vaccination drive and particularly provide vaccination to specified age groups on priority, get more vaccines from state and central governments by convincing them of the situation, open more Covid care centres, keep close watch on health of senior citizens, formation of separate team and workforce at the village level to regulate the spread of the disease, and wherever possible, involve local organizations and institutions with the drive.