Frontline warriors contract Covid-19 in Khammam

KHAMMAM: Coronavirus cases in Khammam district are continuing their upward trend. Against only one case registered on January 1, more than 100 cases have been recorded since past one week. The figure stood at 133 on Friday, January 14.

Among those affected are frontline warriors working for various government departments, including eight policemen of One Town police station; one of them being circle inspector Chitti Babu. Seven employees of Madhira tehsildar office and three personnel of a bank branch in Kusumanchi had also tested Covid-19 positive. Currently, 32 persons are undergoing treatment in government and private hospitals.

Medical and health officials of the district suspect the number of Coronavirus will increase in the wake of three-day Sankranti festivities.

District administration has increased its vigil against people not adhering to Covid-19 protocols. 1,367 persons have been penalised for not wearing masks in the district. Restrictions on large gatherings have been extended till January 20. Sanitization measures are being undertaken in areas where Covid-19 cases have been reported.

Officials are concerned over vaccine hesitancy continuing in Khammam district. About 40,000 people are yet to take their second dose.

Collector V P. Gautham said, “Our information is some of the persons are avoiding taking their doses over unwarranted doubts that they will not be able to consume anything non-vegetarian during the festival. This notion is wrong and they must come to receive their vaccine,” he underlined.

The collector assured that district’s medical and health department is fully geared in dealing with the developing Coronavirus situation.