Unawareness & fear continue to be a major roadblock in the COVID19 management in the hinterlands of Odisha. This is a glaring example of how lack of awareness about COVID19 and is driving people out of their homes and into hiding in forests. The fourth phase national sero survey by ICMR-RMRC began in Rayagada district from Thursday (June 17).
At least 10 clusters have been created in 11 blocks of the Rayagada for the survey and minimum 40 samples are being collected from every cluster. The RMRC team visited Jurodi village under Rayagada Sadar block on Thursday for collecting these samples. However, the residents fled the village upon seeing the team in their village.
Villagers were seen climbing up the hillocks and disappearing into the forests to avoid the team. However, health and ASHA workers convinced some villagers to provide their samples for sero survey. The RMRC team was unable to collect the appropriate number of samples due to the reluctance of the villagers. On the other hand, the Rayagada district administration accepted the reluctance and lack of awareness among villagers.
According to the Rayagada collector Saroj Kumar Mishra, the villagers were informed and made aware about the sero survey sample collection. However, due to superstitious beliefs people are still reluctant to provide their samples. Rayagada collector has said that more awareness programs will be conducted to convince the villagers.