Many returning from Italy skipped medical check, says Ranny MLA

Pathanamthitta: Ranni MLA Raju Abraham said that there were several people, who returned from Italy, but did not undergo medical checks.

“We are identifying them and locating their addresses. We have identified five persons who returned from Italy recently but did not contact the health department. Their details have been handed over to the officials,” Raju said.

“Efforts are on to take them for medical examination,” the MLA added.

On Sunday, five persons, including three who returned from Italy, were tested positive for COVID-19. Following this, a meeting presided over by Minister for Forests K. Raju, who is in charge of Pathanamthitta district, was convened at the collectorate on Sunday afternoon.

MLAs and higher officials including those from the health department attended the meeting.

The meeting decided to stop public gatherings inside the district for one week. The officials are yet to take a final decision regarding schools remaining open. A decision in this regard will be taken soon.

“There is a shortage of masks at the moment, steps are being taken to solve this problem,” MLA Raju added.

After COVID-19 infection was confirmed, prayers at churches and other places of religious activities were stopped. Investigations are on to identify the people who travelled with the COVID-19 infected in the Qatar Airways aircraft.

As many as 12 teams of expert doctors are conducting examinations in the area.

MLA Raju added that the extensive travelling by the five persons infected with COVID-19 complicates things. “Details regarding their travels will be available in one or two days. We are hoping to identify everyone associated with the five COVID-19 affected in two or three days,” the MLA added.