MANGALURU: An audit conduct by the district health and
welfare department has revealed 207 frontline workers from the healthcare sector in Dakshina
Kannada contracted
Covid-19 ever since the pandemic hit the state and a Group D employee and a doctor lost their lives due to the virus.
As per the audit, of 207 who tested positive, 49 were nurses in various government and private hospitals. They contracted the infection while treating Covid-19 patients. A total 33 doctors, including 21 from government hospitals, were also infected. The virus did not spare even district health officer Dr Ramachandra Bairy, who had to stay in isolation to overcome the infection. In addition, 32 junior women health assistants and 30 Group D workers were infected.
Besides these, 20 lab technicians, 11 Asha workers, seven pharmacists, five drivers, four senior women health assistants, three first grade assistants, two receptionists, two managers in private hospitals and many others from the health sector were infected.
The district reported its first case of Covid-19 on March 22 last year when a 22-year-old passenger from
Dubai, a native of Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district, tested positive. The district saw cases spiral upward in September, before tapering off.
As on Monday (February 8), the district reported 34,045 cases and 740 deaths due to the virus. A total 32,967 patients recovered after in hospitals or home isolation.
Although the district currently has more than 300 active cases, only 20% are being treated in hospitals while the others in isolation either at home or in hostels.
Dr Ashok H, district nodal officer for Covid-19, praised the role of
Covid Warriors in helping control the pandemic. "When the district saw an increase in cases, Covid Warriors in the health sector put their lives and health at great risk to help treat patients. Doctors, nurses, Group D workers and others from the health sector were infected with the virus while working in close proximity to patients." Dr Ashok said