Senior Citizen Shows COVID-19 Symptoms after Reaching Neil Island
Port Blair, May 27: A senior citizen who had arrived at Port Blair on 25th May 2020 from Chennai has been showing COVID-19 symptoms soon after he reached Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) today afternoon. The senior citizen had been to Chennai as an attendant of a patient who needed a review after getting treated.
According to sources, the senior citizen aged around 65 years has raised body temperature, running nose and watery eyes, which are symptoms of COVID-19. The two of them took the government ferry to Neil Island today at 1.00 pm and reached the island at around 3.00 pm. Soon after reaching, the senior citizen was rushed to the local hospital. Sources also inform that the Medical Officer has contacted the health authorities at Port Blair and based on the instructions received, has kept the senior citizen isolated.
It is surprising to note that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has been placing government officials on home quarantine, who have joined their duties in the inter-islands (after traveling from Green Zone to Green Zone). On the other hand it is the same Administration which has been allowing people returning from Corona Hubs to reach their homes without any protective measures.
When the entire country was following the Lockdown Rules and SOPs announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Administration in the Andaman Islands had designed their own SOPs and rules for the islanders, causing great inconvenience to the islanders. Now when the testing time begins, it is the same Administration which has decided to follow the National Guidelines, thus inviting trouble for the islanders.
Considering the approach of the Andaman Administration and the concerns raised by the islanders, the Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma had also requested the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands to consider to place the stranded inbound passengers coming from mainland via Air/Ships from 25th May, 2020 compulsory for “Home Quarantine” for 14 days as the UT Administration has revised the SOPs and have asked the passengers coming from Air to not to be quarantined at home.
Kuldeep had stated that many general public are in panic position as most of their family members have elderly persons & children’s those are majorly prone to this pandemic. As the situations in mainland are becoming grim as more and more number of COVID-19 positive cases is surfacing, our Islands have seen the first wave of COVID-19 positive cases. Hence, it is imperative to protect the health of people in these Islands for the sake of those who are coming back. Keeping in view of the above, Shri Sharma requested to consider his request for 14 days “Home Quarantine” for the inbound passengers instead of self-observation.
The question is, why is the Andaman Administration allowing people arriving from Corona Hubs without quarantine? Is this being done on purpose to invite COVID-19 cases in the Islands? It’s high time; the Andaman & Nicobar Administration starts acting sensibly in the interest and safety of the islanders.