Bhubaneswar, May 16 -- Malkangiri: After remaining untouched for long, the primitive tribal groups of Odisha in remote habitations have reported Covid-19 positive cases recently, triggering concerns over the infection spreading to other such tribal population in the State.

According to reports, while at least 12 people from Bonda tribe in Odisha's Malkangiri district have tested positive, as many as 20 cases of coronavirous infection have been reported among the Dongria Kondh tribe, settled in the Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada district.

The vulnerable tribal groups had remained untouched during the first wave. Given their poor immunity due to lack of nourishment and secluded way of life, officials are worried about the impact of the curre...