Covid-19

Residents in South Chennai worried as cases increase

Jump From 42 To 365 In Two Weeks Across Five Zones

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.05.2020

South Chennai, which remained largely unaffected for more than a month has now begun to show a spike in cases, the major contributors being Valasaravakkam (Zone 11) and Adyar (Zone 13). The decision to keep the Koyambedu market up and running and poor physical distancing are reflecting now, say residents. Two weeks ago, the five zones comprising south Chennai recorded 42 cases. Now, they have 365 — 312 of them from Valasarvakkam and Adyar zones – data from Greater Chennai Corporation shows.

In Valasaravakkam, the affected areas are mostly wards close to the Koyambedu market. Wards 145 and 148 have the most number of cases, said a corporation official. “These wards alone have more than 2,000 families of traders and workers who used to work at the Koyambedu market. Since, it is a residential area close to the market, most of them stay here and most of the positive cases in the zone are also from these wards,” said a health department official.

In the past five days, about 130 positive cases were reported in this zone, most from wards 145 and 148. The zone has 45 streets under containment, as on date.

Positive cases have been reported in Maduravoyal, Ramapuram and Porur too.

Adyar, having the largest population among the corporation’s 15 zones, now has 107 positive cases. Until a week ago, it had only 20-odd cases, mainly among foreign returnees and their contacts. Then a vendor in Thiruvanmiyur market tested positive.

As far as the public is concerned, the Thiruvanmiyur market is a ticking time bomb. “It was bound to happen. We could see the pictures before the total lockdown. While people should have been more disciplined, authorities could have taken more care. We are seeing now steps taken to sell liquor at Tasmac outlets,” said S Meenakshi Sundaram, a resident of Adyar.

The market, which was shut last week and was to be opened on May 6, has remained closed. At least six vendors working in the market have tested positive, according to officials. 100 swab samples were collected from vendors.

Similarly, a pushcart vendor in Velachery tested positive and he became the source of infection for at least 11 others including his family members, officials said. “There are a few unfortunate cases too. An elderly man went for dialysis at a hospital in St Thomas Mount and acquired infection,” said an official.

While Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur zones have remained largely unaffected, the Koyambedu cluster is worrying resixents. “Initially, when cases were being reported in North Chennai and when officials said most of them were those who attended the New Delhi conference, we were relieved as the cases remained low in south chennai for over a month. But, with Koyambedu cluster, we are not sure. We can only hope,” said P Asha of Puzhuthivakkam.