Kasaragod: A man who returned from the Gulf on 11 March is giving health workers and government officers a nightmare after he travelled extensively before being testing positive for COVID-19. In addition to his carelessness he is now refusing to give exact details about his travels since he landed at Kozhikode International Airport.
The man says he had travelled to Kannur, Kozhikode and Kasaragod since he came back to Kerala. The health department is struggling to find all those persons who might have come in contact with the person. The department believes that at least 3000 people might have come in close proximity to the gulf returnee.
Though he had the symptoms when he landed in Kerala, he chose to travel extensively and visit houses of his friends and also attend a wedding house. He is said to have hugged two MLAs, both of them are now under self quarantine. The man also attended a football match.
He is also reportedly not giving satisfactory details about his travels even after telling him about the seriousness about the situation. He is now at the isolation ward of the Kasaragod General Hospital.
His behaviour has come under severe criticism, which prompted the Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, to say that his movements are suspicious. The man disregarding the safety and health of others, have made the work of health workers extremely difficult.
At present the district of Kasaragod, where the gulf returnee hails from, is facing a near shutdown as six persons have been identified with the infection. Religious worships are strictly restricted and bars and shops being closed down. Government offices are also closed for a week to prevent any further spread among the public.
