Watch out Covai, Covid is gearing up!

The local Covid-19 cases in Coimbatore for the last 7 days (from March 16th to March 22nd) and a few countermeasures taken against the pandemic in different States tell a different story that we must certainly listen.

The number of indigenous cases on March 16, 2021 (Tuesday) was 81. On Wednesday it was 107, on Thursday it dropped to 77 but after that it was all uphill- 102 on Friday, 103 on Saturday, 109 on Sunday and then it was 130 on March 22, 2021 (Monday).

Meanwhile, the cases in Chennai is alarming. The minimum number local cases there is 350 and the maximum being 460 during the above mentioned days.

The Second Wave seems to be near but if everyone follows the necessary precautions, it can at least be delayed.  But according to recent info from Tamil Nadu’s Health Secretary J.Radhakrishnan, it seems that people here continue or choose to be unguarded.

“In the last four days, we fined at least 38,000 people (for violating covid norms). The State has collected a fine of Rs.83.05 lakh. We still see people without masks, violating social distancing norms”, he told reporters on Monday.

Though the vaccination drive is in effect in the country, the risk is still high. Realizing this, several States including Tamil Nadu have conducted Random Covid Tests in their respective regions.

In Tamil Nadu, on Monday (22.3.21) people were picked in a random fashion in bus-stops, markets and other places of public gathering, and were tested for Covid-19. In the North India regions, such measures are already in effect with stricter orders. Last Saturday, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai said  “Rapid antigen testing (RAT) at crowded places like malls, railway stations (for inbound trains), bus depots, marketplaces, tourist places and government offices shall be done randomly. RAT will be carried out without the consent of citizens who are present at these crowded places”

“If the citizen refuses to test, it would amount to an offence under the Epidemic Act, 1897. Hence, action shall be initiated against the offender” the order said.

Similar measures are being taken in Delhi at the Airport and Railway Station. All these indicate that the seriousness of the pandemic, though less than what it was 1 year ago, should not be taken lightly.

Covai, watch out. It is not over!!!

 

– David Karunakaran.S