Mini-clusters in residential colonies shape up in city

Thiruvananthapuram: While lesser tests mean lesser Covid-19 positives in coastal clusters, mini-community clusters are forming within the city wards. The corporation wards which have reported over 100 cases daily for the past few weeks are now recording small clusters centred on residential colonies.
Around 15 positive cases, including a ten-month-old baby, have been cumulatively reported from a retail chain and two housing colonies based in Kesavadasapuram in the past one week. Some of the contacts of a person who tested positive were traced to a marriage function held at a hotel in Ulloor. The health officials say that restrictions on number of participants and longer time period for holding reception would mean little because silent carriers within close family circles could lead to a spread. Over 250 contacts have so far been tested after cases were confirmed at Kesavadasapuram.
The officials said that contact tracing helped them in early isolation of contacts and containment of the area, and possibility of a huge spread has been negated for the time being. There was also an instance where a person who had reportedly undergone testing for Covid-19 later attended the wedding function. Lack of knowledge about isolation measures to be complied following testing often leads to such seemingly harmless acts, the officials pointed out. The contacts were also traced to a retail chain, and so far there have been three positives. The early identification of contacts, followed by their isolation, prevented further spread in the shopping establishment.
Many of the positive cases are asymptomatic and nine persons have opted for home quarantine as per new SoP issued by district administration. Source of infection in two persons in the area remains unknown. Rajaji Nagar, where the first bout of cases was reported in July, has reported new cases. A staff at General Hospital, an employee of a cooperative institution and a contingent worker of city corporation have tested positive, followed by their contacts. With living conditions posing enough challenges for isolation of contacts, the health team and ward councillors had worked together to house contacts in a separate facility. This ploy doesn’t seem to work anymore as cases rise and primary contacts are testing positive.
There is also no need for secondary contacts to remain under home isolation. However, officials point out that the nature of conditions in a densely inhabited slum could warrant different set of methods to check spread of infection. At Karamana, 31 cases were reported from one cluster and effective containment has so far been fruitful. One positive emerged out of 50 samples recently, indicative of a dip in infection. Colonies along the streets of Manacaud are also reporting new cases, especially among those who aged above 50 or 70. The source of infection in some of these cases is unknown as their family members have tested negative.