COVID-19 positive case makes officials plunge into action

Tirupati: Srikalahasti witnessed hectic activity from Tuesday night following the first COVID-19 positive case registered in the district. It may be noted that the 25-year-old software engineer has reached Srikalahasti via Chennai international airport from London on March 19. As he found symptoms he got admitted on his own at Ruia hospital on March 23 and his samples were tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday.

Soon after the report was released, district Collector Dr N Bharat Gupta along with other officials rushed to the town on Tuesday night and initiated door to door survey around 3 km radius of the patient's house with the help of Anganwadi workers, ANMs and others. The process continued on Wednesday as well with DM&HO Dr M Penchalaiah, Joint Collector – II VR Chandramouli and other officers have monitored the operations.

Massive sanitisation work has been taken up in the three-kilometre radius from the patient's house and the area was disinfected twice. Door to door survey has also been carried out by about 360 teams at nearly 21000 houses to rule out whether there are anymore COVID-19 positive cases.

Following this seven people with whom the patient came in contact were quarantined. These include five of his family members with whom he stayed in the town and his friend who travelled with him from London. The cab driver who brought them from Chennai airport to the residence was also quarantined.

According to Medical and Health department officials, if any symptoms are found in these seven patients, their samples will be tested at VRDL lab at SVIMS. For now they will be under observation. It is also learnt that the patient has been recovering from symptoms and doing well. But he has to be under observation for the next 14 days and further tests are to be conducted as per treatment protocol.