Tribals keep contagion at bay

Udhagamandalam: Except for a pregnant woman, who tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago, the Nilgiris, which is home to six tribal groups, has not reported any novel coronavirus cases among the tribals since its outbreak in the hills.
This is despite sickle cell anemia is significantly common among the tribal communities. Tribals with sickle cell anemia fall under the high-risk category when it comes to Covid-19. According to health officials, the disease is mostly found among Irulas, Paniyars and Kurumbas in the Nilgiris.
As per the 2011 census, the district has 33,813 people belonging to six tribal communities of Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas and Kattunayakans.
The woman was tested positive for the virus when she went to a hospital in Coimbatore for treatment. The 35-year-old Paniyar woman hails from Koundankolli, a tribal hamlet located in Devarsolai panchayat in Gudalur taluk. The Paniyar tribal hamlet, which houses around 40 families, was subsequently made a containment zone and people were screened for Covid-19.
District collector J Innocent Divya says high awareness on Covid-19 among the tribals has helped them keep the virus at bay. “While they live in small hamlets, they don’t mingle with others and travel anywhere.”