Another tragic twist in the tale of JK Tyres Covid outbreak in Mysuru

Mysuru: Anticipating a huge rush during the forthcoming Varamahalakshmi festival, the municipality of Mysuru has decided to close down the hitoric Devaraja Market for three days from Wednesday.

The Mysuru City Corporation has made alternative arrangements for fruit and vegetable vendors at the Jakkarayana Kere Grounds (JK Grounds) near the railway station.

But the fear of Covid-19 did not deter Mysureans who rushed to shop for the festival. The Varamahalakshmi festival is celebrated grandly in this part of the country. This year it falls on Friday.

But the grim fact remains that this erstwhile capital of Karnataka is braving the second most virulent outbreak of Covid-19 in the state.

The city is still in shock over the death of a woman who was found dead at her home on Monday.

She was the wife of an employee of JK Tyres who tested positive for COVID-19 along with 200 others at three factories of the company.

He was admitted to hospital, while his wife, as his primary contact, was quarantined at home. She was to undergo a Covid 19 test on Monday.
But she was found dead at home on Monday.

A sample taken from her body has now revealed that she was Covid 19 positive too. Since there was no one else at home, her death went unnoticed. After a while her neighbours got suspicious and informed her relatives. When the door was broken down, she was found dead.

So far 201 employees of three plants of JK Tyres have tested positive for Covid 19.

Last week one of the employees died and another took his own life. Now, of the  3500 employees of the company, all those who are symptomatic are being tested.