In an encouraging development, new infections with COVID-19 in the Srikakulam district are falling significantly thanks to the strict implementation of the curfew and increased awareness among people.
The average number of days, which was 1,500 two weeks ago, has now dropped to 600-800. The district reported 679 new cases of 4,829 samples on Thursday. 11,842 people in the county are currently recovering from COVID. Of these, 1,472 people were hospitalized, while 1,021 people are being treated in COVID Care Centers. The remaining 9,349 people are in domestic isolation with mild symptoms. The total number of cases in the district stands at 1,06,862.
The demand for hospital beds has also decreased in Srikakulam, Palasa and other places. Speaking to The Hindu, Collector J. Nivas said that 250 beds out of 1,700 oxygen-equipped beds had remained vacant for the past few days.
“The curfew rules have gone a long way in curbing the spread of the pandemic in cities like Srikakulam, Tekkali, Palasa, Itchapuram, and more. But COVID protocols are not properly followed in villages. We ask the local public to take the initiative to fight the pandemic in rural areas. At the suggestion of the district administration, some Sarpanches are particularly concerned with improving the sanitary conditions in their villages and making sure that people stay at home after noon, ”he said.
“Compared to city dwellers, villagers need to be much more careful because medical facilities are scarce in rural areas. The same thing is explained to everyone in door-to-door campaigns, ”said Nadukuditi Rajani, Sarpanch of Bantupalli of Ranasthalam Mandal, Srikakulam District.
Srikakulam Police Superintendent Amit Bardar instructed all station officials to ensure lockdown rules even in semi-urban and rural areas, as many villagers moved in public without fear of COVID-19. He asked her not to allow anyone to break the curfew rules.