Berhampur: With 19 more Surat returnees testing positive for COVID-19, Ganjam now has the second highest active cases of 47 in Odisha after Jajpur (54).
After being in the Green Zone for nearly 50 days, it was classified as a Red Zone for very high doubling rate on Thursday. The first case in the district was detected on May 2 when two Surat-returned youth tested positive for the virus. The last two days have seen 43 corona positive cases and all of them are Surat returnees, taking the total to 47.
On Thursday, Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange had said that 27,000 people had so far arrived in Ganjam district from other states in 12 trains and 283 buses.
The collectors had also appealed to people to stay away from quarantine centres, where migrants are being kept after their return to the state. “Anyone found visiting quarantine centre will be forcibly quarantined and strict action will be taken against them,” he added.
Also Read: Stay Away From Quarantine Centres Appeal After 21 Surat Returnees Test Corona Positive In Ganjam
He, however, allayed fears about community transmission in the district, which saw a spike in COVID-19 cases after the return of migrants.
Also Read: Migrants Headache: 65 Surat Returnees In Odisha Corona Positive
Kulange further said that all issues over arrangements in quarantine facilities have been resolved. “There is no discontent among the returnees now. I personally visited some centres and spoke to the people there. Healthy food is being served, while emphasis has been placed on maintaining hygiene. Yoga, physical exercise and counselling are being conducted to keep the returnees engaged,” he told the TOI.
While 128 migrants had fled two quarantines centres, some created a ruckus over food at other facilities in the district earlier this week.
Also Read: Surat Migrants Clash At Quarantine Facility In Odisha’s Ganjam Over Food
Stating that there was no need to panic, he urged people to stay at home and maintain social distancing and use masks while going out.
According to official sources, around 3 lakh migrants have registered to return to Ganjam. There could be thousands of unregistered migrants who might be on their way back. The Odisha government on Monday deputed five OAS officers to assist the district administration to handle the problems arising out of return of natives from other states.
