Karimnagar on high alert as seven visiting Indonesians test positive for coronavirus

HYDERABAD: Eight persons who have been described as ‘primary contacts’ of the 10 Indonesians have been home quarantined. Karimnagar district officials are now in the process of identifying secondary contacts and other persons who may have come in contact with the Indonesians. They had come to Karimnagar on March 14.
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The Indonesian nationals have already been shifted to Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad where 7 as of them had tested positive for coronavirus.District collector K Shashanka said while all the protocols were being followed in handling coronavirus-suspected cases, the eight people in Karimnagar who were identified as primacy contacts of the visiting Indonesians could be sent to Gandhi Hospital, if necessary.
“We are also looking at CCTV footages to check where the Indonesians had moved around in Karimnagar and identify those who they came in contact with,” district collector K Shashanka told TOI. Three locals have also been shifted to Gandhi Hospital
The mosque where the Indonesians stayed on March 14 after they arrived in Karimnagar was also fumigated and the mosque authorities and local public have been advised against gathering at the mosque.
The Indonesians had reported to police on March 15. It was only after they were sent for medical tests, one of them had shown symptoms of coronavirus. The Indonesians landed in Delhi on March 9 and travelled by train to Karimnagar.
The collector on Wednesday inspected the isolation ward at the district general hospital where 20 beds have been readied. The district authorities have also identified two colleges in Thimmapur mandal and two in Karimnagar where isolation wards would come up.
In a video conference with health, mandal and police officials, the collector asked them to work in coordination while handling coronavirus cases. All government offices have been directed to keep hand sanitisers and soaps.
The authorities have also been asked to specifically identify people who have returned from abroad and ensure that they are home quarantined for at least 14 days and monitor their health. The rapid response team has been tasked with taking measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.