Secluded life shielding Adivasis in Kothagudem from Covid

Even as the entire world is shaken by the pandemic some villages in Kothagudem are untouched by Covid-19

Kothagudem: Secluded life and living close to nature became a blessing in disguise and shielding a few Adivasi habitations in the district against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The residents in Timmirigudem and Kistarampadu in Chinnamusileru gram panchayat, Yerrampadu, Chennapuram, Battigudem, Ramachandrapuram villages under Kurnapalli PHC Sub-centre limits in Cherla mandal, which consists of 26 villages, stayed safe from the Covid-19.

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Even as the entire world is shaken by the pandemic the above villages are untouched by the novel coronavirus and not a single positive case of Covid-19 has been reported either in the first wave of the pandemic or the second wave.

An Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) of the sub-centre, Gattupalli Rajeshwari, who frequently visits the villages as part of her duty said that no Covid positive case has been reported in the above villages so far.

The reason, according to her, is the reclusive lifestyle of the tribals and their food habits. Speaking to Telangana Today on Friday, Rajeshwari explained that, “The villagers, who belong to Guthikoya community, never venture out unnecessarily. Their houses and habitations are normally located at a distance from each other”.

In addition to that the tribals consume the seasonal fruits the forests provide them and eat a lot of herbs they knew of and available in the forests whenever they suffer from any ailment. Naturally their immunity levels are a bit high because of their hard work and exposure to sunlight and clean air, she added.

“During my visits to the villages I explain to them about the importance of face masks or at least to cover their nose and mouth and maintain physical distance when they go out. And their response to the advice is good,” she said.
Kurnapalli sarpanch, G Saidulu noted that the tribals cultivate their own food and depend on forest products to feed themselves. An important aspect in the protection of the tribals from covid-19 is they maintain distance from the outside world, he noted.

Similarly, a village Kothur in Laximidevipalli mandal near the district headquarters is also safe from the Covid second wave as no positive case has been reported so far in the village which has a population of 270 people.

Though one person, Guguloth Bhanu was infected with the coronavirus last year, no Covid positive case is reported this year, informed Bhaoji thanda gram panchayat sarpanch, Vankudoth Kobal. According to health officials, the Adivasi villages with rather excessive access to the outside world reported the covid positive cases while the others remained safe.

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