Covid-19 in Tamil Nadu: Across the four zones

Industry, transport back

Not a single Covid-19 death mars the central districts so far. But the region witnessed a Covid sweep with the Tablighi Jamaat and Koyambedu clusters. The central region got a big chunk of the TJ cluster and Ariyalur and Perambalur were the worst-affected by the Koymbedu crisis.

Now, the region is affected by an influx of positive cases from Maharashtra.

The upside for the region, however, has been the government’s decision to allow public transport with 50% occupancy. This is expected to enhance industrial activity.

MSMEs in Trichy had been hit, but the relaxations would help workers reach factories. Karur’s textile hub began cranking its wheels a few weeks ago. Further ease of norms will up production.

“E-passes are not required for movement within zones and this will help workers to move to their workplaces. Public transport will help,” said Karur collector T Anbalagan.

“Banks will function better and this will help the loan process,” said Tiruchirapalli District Tiny & small-scale industries president R Ilango.

A hotspot, long way ahead

At least 84% of the Covid-19 cases reported until May 31 in Tamil Nadu are from the northern districts, including the state capital Chennai that has emerged as the hotspot. Again, 91% of Covid-19 deaths are reported from the northern region as on May 31.

Returnees of the Tablighi Jamaat conference in Delhi and Koyambedu market in Chennai and people returning from Covid-hit states or countries led to the outbreak of the infection in these thickly populated districts.

The districts in the region have a high incidence of imported cases. Kallakurichi (175 cases) has the second-highest imported Covid-19 cases next to Tirunelveli (246) while another northern district Thiruvannamalai (127) is fourth after Tuticorin (144).

The northern districts that are highly industrialized may take longer than the rest of the state to return to normalcy. The government, which announced several relaxation measures for other parts of the state, have kept these districts, particularly the clusters with a high incidence of cases, out of the relaxation plan.

Revised strategy

The easing of lockdown is good news for the southern districts, but not the fresh influx of natives. With apprehensions about a surge in Covid cases, the south has decided to intensify testing.

The Madurai district administration plans to focus on the welfare of the vulnerable and the elderly. Madurai collector Dr T G Vinay said a new initiative has been launched to strengthen their immunity. The old and physically challenged will be given 10 vitamin C and 10 zinc tablets along with kabasura kudineer. A target group of 95,000 people have been identified for the Rs 60 lakh-programme.

“In Dindigul, which is now free of containment zones, the focus will be on people coming by trains,” said collector M Vijayalakshmi.

Meanwhile, the MSME sector is picking itself up. While restrictions have been eased on inter and intra district travel, shortage of labour would remain for a while with guest workers having left for their home states. This is the time when the small industries see full attendance.

Readying for a surge

With the fifth round of lockdown kicking in from Monday, health and administrative officials in western Tamil Nadu brace for a possible surge in Covid cases. The region had fewer people visiting Koyambedu and no influx of people from other states, until a week ago. But the situation appears to be changing.

Salem had no active cases until a week ago, but is now getting fresh cases as people come in from other states. “We might get more cases as more people start travelling,” said Salem collector S A Raman. Covid cases have started trickling into Erode and Namakkal. Coimbatore too is likely to see cases soon.

The small industries in Coimbatore complain of manpower shortage and lack of financial support. But Tirupur garment units have found a foothold in medical textile sector to emerge as key suppliers of PPEs and masks across the country. The industrial cluster in Hosur too has gathered momentum. Easing of more restrictions in Lockdown 5.0 will enable the industries to step up production.