Telangana: Other warriors also vulnerable to coronavirus

HYDERABAD: While doctors treating Covid-19 patients are acknowledged as real heroes and frontline warriors, the work of health and medical officers and DMHOs to break the chain of the virus spread and those working in the containment zone is no small achievement.
For instance, Dr K Swarajya Lakshmi, DMHO of Rangareddy, has her task cut out as she has to oversee the health of 33 lakh population who face the threat of contracting the virus.Tasked with containing the virus spread in 343 containment zones, Dr Lakshmi says maintaining moral strength in times of health emergency is her biggest armoury.
“Our people conduct the initial fever survey and directly come in contact with the patients. The threat of contracting the virus while doing the survey is far greater. But, we continue to discharge our duties. For that matter, containment work is fraught with danger. I have got myself tested recently. Thankfully, the test report came negative. Despite taking all precautions, we are as vulnerable as anybody,” she explained.
More than the danger of getting infected with the virus, the officials are more worried about infecting their immediate family members, neighbours and flat inmates. “My neighbours live next door but I avoid them so that they do not end up catching the virus. I also fear my grandson could get infected, so I do not visit him,” she said. She also said that domestic helps and other service providers also hesitate to come near them as they are worried about contracting the virus.