KHAMMAM: The third wave of Coronavirus has affected hundreds of employees belonging to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) all over, particularly in open cast mines of Khammam and Bhadradri districts.
During the past six days, 2,461 workers and officials have tested Covid-19 positive. Cases started increasing from January 15 in all mining areas of the collieries. About 125 cases have been registered on Friday in the Kothagudem Corporate area, followed 10 cases in Manuguru, three in Yellandu and five in Sattupalli. In addition, 922 persons are undergoing treatment, 128 in Kothagudem area hospital and 794 in home isolation.
Cases are also high in other SCCL mining areas including Srirampur, Ramagundum, Mandamarri, Bhupalapalli and Andriala. Ramagundum-1 has reported 388 cases, Ramagundum-2 288, Mandamarri 257, Bellampalli 239, Andriala 152, Bhupalapalli 105, and Srirampur 67.
SCCL officials are surprised with Coronavirus not sparing any of the mines in the two districts. Collieries management has released ₹ 80 crore for dealing with the virus.
Trade unions allege that SCCL management is not taking health of miners seriously on par with officers. CITU secretary M. Narasimha Rao said miners too should be admitted into special wards. Special care should be taken of those in home isolation, he underlined.
With spread of Covid-19 mining activity has taken a hit in almost all areas. Officials have stopped manual mining. Only machines are being deployed in underground mines for excavating coal.
Singareni Hospital chief medical officer M. Srinivas said all employees in a serious condition are being shifted to hospital immediately.
Area-Wise Covid-19 cases
Kothagudem Corporate – 684
Ramagundam-1 – 388
Ramagundam-2 – 288
Mandamarri –257
Bellampalli – 239
Andriala – 152
Bhupalapalli – 105
Kothagudem –104
Manuguru – 89
Yellandu – 68
Srirampur – 67
Sattupalli – 20
