A 52-year old autorickshaw driver and his family tested positive for COVID- 19 in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India on Friday. Now, the state capital is on high alert after the patient's route map hints at COVID-19 super-spreader. Keralites are sharing news reports on social media channels and WhatsApp.
Reportedly, the auto driver who was unaware that he was COVID-19 positive, took passengers around the state. That’s not all, he was also a junior TV serial artist in Thiruvananthapuram, and also went to all the TV serial shooting sites across the state.
The driver is from Iranimuttam in Thiruvananthapuram, and he was actively working till June 12 and took many trips during this period. He also has no known history of contact with people who had either travelled to other states or abroad. He developed fever and cough and visited a nearby primary health centre. From there, he went to a pharmacy in front of the PHC on June 13 and was advised to go to the General Hospital. However, the patient went home and later revisited the health centre. On the same day, he visited nearby shops. He interacted with his neighbours and others living nearby. The district administration is struggling to put measures in place to limit the potential spread of the coronavirus.
Later his wife and daughter also developed symptoms of Covid-19. The autorickshaw driver's wife has been diabetic for the past 15 years. Their daughter, meanwhile, attended the SSLC (high school) examination held on May 28. According to a local news source, on Thursday he went to the General Hospital by 7.30 am and his swab was taken. The patient’s wife and daughter along with him are now admitted to the General Hospital. His second daughter is also reportedly symptomatic.
In connection with the case, Kalady junction, Attukal, Manacaud Junction, Chiramukku- Kalady road and Iranimuttam regions in Thiruvananthapuram district have been declared containment zones by the district administration. A high-level meeting chaired by Kerala Cooperation, Tourism and Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Sunday decided to strictly implement social distancing, hand-washing and the wearing of facemasks at public places including shopping and commercial establishments in the district.
