Pimpri: About 25 persons in a joint family at Siddharthnagar, a small slum located in Dapodi area have been tested positive for COVID-19. The patients were detected when the civic administration conducted contract-tracing of a single patient who was identified a few days ago.
Siddharthnagar slum is located near the historical Harris bridge opposite the College of Military Engineering (CME). The area is lined by the Old Pune-Mumbai highway on one side and on the other side is the Pune-Mumbai railway track. The railway station market is situated to the north of this slum area, while its south lies the Mula river. This unique geographical location of the slum has resulted in it becoming a densely populated area.
Considering this scenario, the municipal corporation authorities did not take any chances when a COVID-positive patient was identified in the locality, a few days ago. On identification, high-risk contact tracing was conducted on a priority basis, and about 25 persons were found identified as infected by the novel coronavirus.
The civic officials have also continued with tracing more contacts and surveillance activities in the area to prevent an outbreak of the disease.
Officials have requested citizens residing in this area to get tested for COVID-19 even if they experience normal flu-like symptoms. But considering the densely populated locality with bottleneck lanes, following social distancing norms is a challenge. The other issue for people living in the slum considering the large family size, social distancing becomes impossible.
