COVID-19 in Chennai: As Cases rise Rapidly, Govt Comes out with New Strategy to Contain Spread!

All Indian cities continue to grapple under the effects of the novel coronavirus, Chennai is no exception. The city Corporation is now deviating all its focus on slums where the virus is reportedly spreading rapidly. According to Corporation officials, a lot of people tested positive in areas like Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar where containing the spread of the virus is a difficult task. 

According to The New Indian Express’ Report, “on May 8, eight individuals tested positive on a single day from a slum at Kannappar Thidal in Periamet. Several informal settlements in Choolai, like in Asirvathapuram and Thattankulam, also record-high number of cases. So far, at least 52 slums in the city have been identified as being containment zones (having COVID positive cases).”

As per media reports, Joint Commissioner (Health) Madhusudhan Reddy said that they are adopting a ‘slum focused strategy’. On Saturday, a meeting was held with NGOs and medical experts who helped in devising a plan to contain the spread of the virus in slums. 

There are around 2173 slums in the city. While 787 of them are developed, almost 256 have very limited access to water and sanitation. In these areas, public toilets are shared by multiple families which raises concerns. 

Dr Beena Thomas, Consultant social scientist, who is also a part of the initiative, told the media that “Our priority is the involvement of civic society. First, a list of NGOs that are willing to join the programme is being taken and once done, they will be linked to specific slums.”