CHENNAI COVID19: WHY GOVT IS SHIFTING RESIDENTS FROM CONTAINMENT ZONES? DETAILS

The Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to adopt a new strategy to reduce the spread of COVID19 in high intensity areas such as Royapuram, Kodambakkam and Valasaravakkam. 

While speaking to media persons on Friday, Chennai Corporation Special Nodal Officer J Radhakrishnan told that as a part of the strategy they are planning to rope residents through NGOs for enhancing participation at the community level. Efforts will be taken to inculcate the habit of wearing masks, handwashing, social distancing, disinfection of homes and nutritious food. 

“Chennai Corporation has planned to evacuate residents from congested neighborhoods where intensity of COVID-19 spread continues to remain high. For example, Royapuram zone residents from ten congested areas, where around 20 to 80 cases have been reported, will be shifted to community halls. Their houses located in narrow streets will be disinfected. They will be given nutritious food. The Chief Minister has ordered the supply of nutritious food including fruits and egg for such residents,” he announced.

He also underlined the need to wear masks in order to avoid the spread of the virus. 

“Around 75% of the infection in the city has been reported in containment zones, where other residents have already tested positive for COVID-19. The infection is because of meeting people without masks, violations of social distancing and inadequate handwashing. We request all residents to cooperate with civic officials in containment of COVID-19,” Mr. Radhakrishnan added.

Reportedly, there has been a decline in seven zones of the city which includes Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Teynampet and Tondiarpet. New cases have not come in for the past eight days in V.R. Pillai Street and these areas have managed to stabilize the situation

“As many as 2,000 areas are vulnerable. We are conducting fever camps in such areas. On Friday, 120 containment zones will be free as cases have not been reported for 14 days. Over 80% of cases are asymptomatic in the city. Over 77% of COVID-19 patients are between the ages of 20 and 60,” The Hindu quoted Mr. Radhakrishnan in its report. 

Corporation Commissioner G. Prakash said that the corporation has sent around 22,000 stranded persons and labourers to their home towns and villages in other States.