Port Blair, May 16: While the A&N Administration is on a war footing to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections, the second wave is proving to be a bit tougher than the first. With the active support of social workers, NGOs and general public at large, COVID-19 management is now in a better shape when compared last year and with any other states in the country. It has been noticed that the corona virus has already spread within the community, which has become a matter of concern now.

According to the data recorded by the A&N Administration, more than incoming flight passengers, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 is much more among the people travelling in the inter-islands especially passengers bound for North & Middle Andaman District. This has also raise eyebrows on the safety of the PVTGs, the Jarawa in particular.

Sources indicate that ILI cases have been noticed among the settlers in the fringes of the Jarawa Tribal Reserve. Rough estimate through sources reveal that there are a few symptomatic cases detected in Adazig, Flat Bay and Jarawa Creek areas. If timely detection and treatment is not done, these cases might surge into bigger numbers.

There is no doubt that the A&N Administration is leaving no stone unturned to control the spread of virus in the islands but a stitch in time can save nine. While it is clear that there are symptomatic cases detected in the fringes of the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, it is expected that the A&N Administration does a thorough combing of these areas. This will not only ensure the safety of the PVTG but the lives of settlers in these remote areas can also be saved.