MADURAI: Containment streets have once again returned to Madurai city as Covid-19 positive cases continued to witness a steady rise in the last few days. Officials said that 11 streets have been announced as containment zones so far and the number is only set to increase.
Earlier, a street was considered as a containment zone only when cases were reported from three different houses in the same street. Now, a containment zone is established if there are three confirmed cases, even if they are from the same house. However, houses are not being barricaded.
Sixth street in Deputy Collector Colony in KK Nagar is the first containment zone in Madurai after the cases started to surge for the second time. Meenakshi Amman Nagar in Surya Nagar (eight cases), Harini Street in Duraisamy Nagar and Nylon Nagar in Pasumalai (seven each), VOC 1st Street in Tahsildar Nagar (five), Vairam Vasantham Apartment in Sampakulam (four), Sambandar Street, Misty Apartment in front of Velammal MedicalCollege, Ranganayaki Amma Street in Kamarajar Salai, Indira Salai in Thirupalai and Pallavi Nagar 3rd Street in Anaiyur (3 each) have been declared as containment zones.
A corporation official said that barricading of the containment areas is yet to take place as officials are busy with the election work. However, other precautionary measures such as disinfection of public places, door-to-door enumeration of fever cases and distribution of kabasura decoction has started. But, movement of people has not been restricted so far.
While less than 30 cases a day were reported in Madurai city in the last few weeks, cases started surging since April 1. A corporation health official blamed the people for gathering without taking preventive measures.
“Most of the positive cases are now being reported after people started taking part in festivals, functions and election rallies,” he said.
He assured the movement of people from containment areas will be restricted soon. However, there is a lack of clarity on allowing outsiders into those areas, especially with the election campaign still on.
There is also no clarity on whether people from containment areas can be allowed to come out and cast their votes.