Infection among Keralites travelling out of state worrying

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralites testing positive for Covid-19 after travelling to other states once the lockdown norms were eased have become a concern, with finding their source of infection and contact tracing turning a daunting task. As many as 12 Keralites who went from here had tested positive for the virus in Tamil Nadu after May 19 besides two persons, including a two-year-old girl, in Karnataka.
Though there is no sharing of information between the state governments on such cases, the district administrations from where these persons left have got the intimation. "We had received communication about six such positive cases and the respective district administration has launched contact tracing in their areas. However, we don't often get proper information on these people from other states," a senior government official said.
On May 29, three persons who travelled from Kerala were tested positive for the virus in Kallakurichi district in Tamil Nadu. The two-year-old girl who travelled to Karnataka with her family was tested positive in Belgaum on May 27.
Contact tracing is important: IMA
They could have been a part of family clusters or might have got infected during the travel. We do not know their source of infection but contact tracing is important as they have gone from here. However, whether such contact tracing will be a success is yet to be seen,” said Dr N Sulphi, vice-president of Indian Medical Association.
In Tamil Nadu, Keralites who travelled from here were tested Covid positive in Cuddallore, Thiruvannamalai, Ramanathapuram, Chennai, Virudhanagar and Theni. Similarly, in Karnataka, the positive cases were reported in Uduppi ad Belgaum. All these cases were reported after May 19.
Keralites who returned from other states had led to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the state. Healthcare experts said Keralites getting infected in other states after travelling from here is also worrisome as there has to be proper tracing of their contacts and quarantining them to prevent a community spread in Kerala.
“There is no proper documentation by other states of people travelling from here. Like how we monitor the checkposts, the screening is not as effective in many states and it has become difficult to get details of those testing positive there,” a health department official said.