Steep surge in Covid cases among non-migrant population in J’khand
RANCHI: Even though the growth trajectory of Covid-19 cases in migrant population is declining sharply in Jharkhand, the curve of cases in non-migrant population is moving northward.
The state after two major incidents —Tablighi Jamaat and migrants’ inflow — is now witnessing a steep rise in positive cases among non-migrant population every week.
While 70 cases were detected among non-migrant category in May, as many as 336 cases were found in June . Comparing the last two months, non-migrant cases registered a growth of 380%.
The last seven days (June 26-July 2) saw steep surge in number of cases in non-migrant population after 213 cases out of total 373 came from this section. The period, however, reported only 160 cases in migrants.
In last 28 days, the weekly detection of positive cases in non-migrant category were 43, 59, 80 and 213. On the contrary, the period saw a sharp decline in cases among migrants with discovery of 713, 277, 262 and 160 cases.
As per experts, the rising Covid cases in non-migrant section is worrisome as it may lead to community spread of the disease if not contained effectively.
India Medical Association (IMA) state president Dr A K Singh said, “It is high time that people should strictly start wearing masks and maintain social distancing. Cases have started coming in good numbers from common mass. This is because people easily came in contact with an already infected person.”
He added, “As of now, we can’t say if there is a community spread but if things continue like this, it may occur. We should remain more alert and stay indoors as much as possible.”
According to the state health department’s bulletins, the state had 110 positive cases at the end of April, when return of migrants had not started. These cases were primarily linked with Tablighi Jammat event.
From May 1 onwards, migrant workers, started returning home. As of now, over 5.5 lakh migrant workers have arrived from different states.
The state health machinery then shifted its focus to quarantine centres where Covid-19 suspected migrants had been staying. Cases then started coming in hoards from these centres.
In May only, 500 confirmed cases were reported, including 430 migrant cases.
A steep surge in number of Covid-19 cases was noticed in June when 1,880 cases were reported, including 1,544 in migrants.
The state’s first Covid-19 case was reported on March 31 when a Malaysian woman, who was part of the 22-member group arrived in Ranchi after attending Tablighi Jamaat in New Delhi.
› It is high time that people should strictly start wearing masks and maintain social distancing. Cases have started coming in good numbers from common mass.
DR A K SINGH, IMA state president