COVID-19: Ignoring social distancing norm cost Indore dearly

By Sundeep Pouranik

Indore, April 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Madhya Pradesh's Indore, which is known for its cleanliness, is now struggling with the novel coronavirus. There may be many reasons behind it but the biggest reason is not following the social distancing norms. Also, despite the initial cases, the necessary arrangements were not made in time.

Indore is the most developed and advanced city of the state. It has an international airport, major rail and bus terminals and big industries. These apart, thousands of students from across the state and the country come here for studies. The city also provides many employment opportunities to educated youth.

Amulya Nidhi, the national co-convenor of the Public Health Campaign who has worked as a social worker in Indore and Malwa Nimar for a long time, said: "Indore is an internationally connected metropolitan city. A large number of people come here from the neighbouring states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. When the corona epidemic came to light, the arrangements that were needed in Indore were not made. The check up facility was not there and people did not follow the social distancing norm. Perhaps, people came into contact with infected persons and after that the disease spread rapidly".

"There is another reason for the increasing number of patients. Earlier fewer samples were being taken and fewer investigation reports were coming in. Now more samples are being taken and more reports are coming in. It should not be taken in a negative way, but if more patients are being found, then it is also giving us a message to be ready for further measures," he said.

Vinay Bakaliwal, President of the Indore Pharmacists Association, said: "Social distancing was not followed in Indore and this was the biggest reason for the spread of the disease. When the lockdown has taken place, efforts are now being made and it is expected that the patients will be identified soon and the city will be safe".

On the question of increasing number of patients in Indore, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Praveen Jariya told IANS, "It is true that the number of infected patients in Indore is much more than other places. But it is a matter of relief that people from only a few families are infected and only those who came in their contact got infected. The administration is putting people in quarantine and isolating others to stop the spread of the disease."

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan agreed that the virus has spread in certain areas of Indore. He urged the people to observe the lockdown and maintain social distancing. This is because the chain of the disease can be broken only by staying inside the house.

It is also coming to light that most of the infected patients are being found at places like Ranipura, Nayapura, Daulatganj, Hathipala in Indore. A large number of people have been quarantined here. Special arrangements are being made for these patients in hotels and private medical colleges.

Indore has been the most affected by the coronavirus in the state. The number of patients here has increased to 75, while the number of victims in the state is 98. Six people have died so far. Apart from Indore, there are four patients in Bhopal, eight in Jabalpur, two each in Gwalior and Shivpuri, one in Khargone and six in Ujjain.

(Sundeep Pouranik can be contacted at sundeep.p@ians.in)

Source: IANS