Covid care centre to come up in Gudalur

Udhagamandalam: An exclusive Covid test-cum-care centre will be set up at Thorapalli in Gudalur for tribals, said forest minister K Ramachandran, who held a Covid review meeting at Thamizhagam in Ooty on Friday.
Compared to other districts, the number of daily cases reported in the Nilgiris is less, the minister told reporters. “However, given the size of the hill district, the numbers are alarming. The government has taken initiatives to increase the number of daily Covid tests. Presently, it is around 2,000,” he said.
“Tribals in the district are hesitant to come forward for tests if they develop symptoms. Hence, an exclusive centre for them for Covid test as well as for Covid care will be set up at Thorapalli,” said Ramachandran. “As many as 4,31,601 people have been tested for the virus in the Nilgiris. Of the 955 beds, including oxygen support and ICUs in government hospitals, Covid health centres and Covid care centres, only 477 are occupied.”
As many as 1,59,074 people in the Nilgiris have been vaccinated. “In other words, at least 50% of the population above the age group of 45 years has taken the vaccine. This is the highest percentage of vaccination in that age group compared to other districts,” the minister added.
Srinivas Services Trust, CSR arm of Sundaram-Clayton Ltd and TVS Motor Company Ltd, handed over 20 oxygen concentrators to Dr Manohari, dean of the Ooty Government Medical College and Hospital, in the presence of the minister.
Meanwhile, the district recorded a new high of 306 new Covid cases on Friday even as 85 patients were discharged. While the tally crossed the 12,000-mark and stood at 12,005, the total number of patients discharged so far stood at 10,606. As many as 1,340 active cases are being treated at various government and private hospitals, Covid health centres and Covid care centres.
Strict enforcement of lockdown rules will bring down the numbers, said an official.