COVID load in extended zones remains a challenge for Chennai Corporation

According to Chennai Corporation data, Ambattur zone has reported more than 20 per cent active cases every day, while neighbouring zone Anna Nagar, one of the seven core city zones, registered a 6 per cent decrease in the active cases. Also, Valasaravakkam, another extended zone has around 15 per cent active cases during the period, while neighbouring Kodambakkam zone (core city zone) has managed to bring the number of active cases down to 11 per cent. On July 23, Kodambakkam zone had 20 per cent active cases. It may be noted that the central Chennai zones such as Teynampet, Kodambakkam and Anna Nagar had emerged as new COVID-19 hotspots soon after the cases started to dip in Tondiarpet and Royapuram - the north Chennai zones.

However, Tiruvottiyur and Manali zones, also the extended zones, have managed to keep the active case count less than 10 per cent. Despite the sparse population density, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur reported as many as 392 new cases on Thursday, which is 34 per cent of total cases reported in the 15 zones.

When asked, a Chennai Corporation official said that even though there is no sudden spike of cases in the extended zones, the zones are slowing down in attaining a higher recovery rate.

“This is because all these zones are bordering the neighbouring districts such as Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu. Movement of people is higher in the zones as the majority of industries are located in the extended zones,” the official said.

He also added that the civic body has started testing employees working in Ambattur Industrial Estate, as most of the employees are from other districts.

Meanwhile, the civic body had conducted a meeting with the health department officials of Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam and other extended zones a few days ago. During the meeting, the field officials have been asked to intensify the testing and other containment activities in those zones.