Malkangiri Admin Gears Up To Tackle Covid Outbreak Among Bondas

Malkangiri: Detection of Covid cases among the tribals of the Bonda Ghati region has sparked a prompt reaction from the district administration. As per sources, out of the total 12 cases of virus infections traced in the cut-off region, some have already recuperated from the disease while some others have been put in isolation for recovery and minimize the chances of outbreak.

The district authorities have said that a team formed with Khairaput BDO and other administrative officials have begun a mass awareness programme in the villages in the tribal pocket. 

Awareness drive on proper use of masks, social distancing, prompt isolation in case of suspected cases, and other appropriate Covid protocols are being conducted from door-to-door in Bonda Ghati villages.

Officials are also teaching people how to maintain hand hygiene to prevent infection. Similarly, free-of-cost masks have also been distributed to people.

The region of Bonda ghati which is situated in the Eastern Ghat ranges in Malkangiri was comparatively untouched by Covid outbreak during the first wave of the pandemic. 

But recently, at least 12 persons were diagnosed with Covid which includes eight from Mudulipada and four from Andrabahal Panchayat. However, the lack of awareness among the tribe and their reluctance from cooperating surfaced as a serious challenge for the administration.

Not only Bondas, virus upsurge has also been noticed among Dongoria Kondh tribal pockets in Niyamgiri, the Khadias in Similipal.
As many as 20 cases of coronavirus infection have been reported among the Dongria Kondh tribe, settled in the Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada district while, while 16 Khadias from Lalpani area in Similipal have been found infected with the virus.

The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups have expressed open reluctance to the medical diagnosis set up following reports on Covid infections.