In Chamarajanagar, more than 100 Covid Warriors infected

Chamarajanagar: It is not just cops, but more and more government staff who constitute the frontline of Karnataka’s defence against the pandemic – doctors, nurses, paramedical personnel, ASHA workers, pourakarmikas – are testing positive for the novel coronavirus across the state. In Chamarajanagar, the number of Covid-19 warriors who have contracted the infection has breached the 100 mark – 109, to be precise as on Sunday.
Although more than half of these frontline warriors have recovered, and have, in fact, resumed their duties, several others are still undergoing treatment, while a cop attached to the Kuderu police station in the district has succumbed to the infection.
Although Chamarajanagar, counted among the state’s backward districts, has performed commendably well in containing the pandemic and boasts an impressive recovery rate – 65% – the number of people pressed into Covid-19 duty testing positive for the novel coronavirus remains a cause for concern. Taking cognisance of their plight, the district administration has set up a dedicated facility for the treatment of Covid-19 warriors at the Government Engineering College. A 50-bed isolation ward with essential life support equipment has been arranged at the college to ensure the speedy recovery of the Covid-19 warriors.
A cop at the Rampur police station, who recovered from the pandemic and is back to his duties, is very sanguine about the chances of recovery. He enjoined on the people to take utmost care of themselves, and take all the medicines prescribed by the doctors.
Social activist Mangala Somashekhar called on the government and the public to express their appreciation for the Covid-19 warriors, who, in addition to staking their life in the line of duty, were in a constant state of worry about transmitting the infection to their friends and loved ones. “Their invaluable services need to be recognised by the government,” Mangala said.
Chamarajanagar district health officer Dr MC Ravi said that, more than 60 of the Covid-19 warriors who had been infected had recovered. “By resuming their duties, they have sent a very positive message. We have instructed Covid-19 warriors with diabetes and other co-morbidities to take additional care. But in India, the mortality rate for Covid-19 is very low,” Dr Ravi told TOI.
He said that the district administration had felicitated those Covid-19 warriors who had managed to beat the infection, and returned to their respective stations. “They were given a certificate and a memento on the occasion of Independence Day,” Dr Ravi added.