Vulnerable Kotia Kondh tribe manage to keep virus at bay

BERHAMPUR: While rising infections among particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) is causing worry among the administration, the Kotia Kondh in Kandhamal district has managed to stay free of Covid-19 so far during the second wave.
As many as 1661 families of Kutia Kondhs, with a population of 8,662, are living in 68 villages and hamlets spread over four panchayats in two blocks (Tumudibandh and Kotagarh) of the district.
“The Kutia Kondhs have managed to keep the virus away so far,” said Kandhamal district collector Brundha D. A medical team conducted rapid antigen test on around 50 Kutia Kondhs in Sakarajodi, a remote village in Kotagarh block on Saturday. All of them tested negative. “We have launched a drive to conduct door-to-door survey of the Kutia Kondhs from Tuesday to find out symptomatic people,” said Renudhar Naik, special officer, Kutia Kondh Development Agency (KKDA).
He said several elders among the group have already taken Covid-19 vaccine at the primary health centre in Belghar. In the past year, the group was not infected with Covid-19 virus.
Similarly, Lanjia Saura, another PVTG in the district have been free of virus since a couple from Muli Sahi village under Ajayagada panchayat in Gajapati district recovered from virus. “The couple tested positive on May 2 and recovered after a week’s treatment,” so far, said Gajapati district collector Anupam Saha. In Gajapati district, 6,180 members of Lanjia Soura tribe live in 22 villages. “Following reports of some PVTGs like Bondas and Dongria Kondhs getting infected, we have asked officials to keep watch on the movement of Lanjia Souras in the district,” the collector said.
“We have already started door-to-door health screening by ASHA and anganwadi workers to find if anyone among the Lanjia Souras are symptomatic,” said P K Mishra, special officer, Lanjia Soura Development Agency (LSDA).
He said they have created awareness among the Lanjia Souras to follow Covid protocol. They have been instructed to wear masks, maintain social distance and wash hands. The tribal haat (weekly market) in the district has been closed due to the pandemic situation.