Bhubaneswar, May 17 -- Kalyansinghpur: In times of despair, reports pertaining to Covid-19 stigma are quite prevalent in many interior pockets of the State. In another such instance, members of Dongria Kondh living in Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada district on Monday refused to undergo Covid-19 test.

The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) expressed open reluctance to the diagnosis at a medical camp which was set up following reports that several members were afflicted with coronavirus. A total of 19 people belonging to the Dongaria Kondh tribe are affected by the disease, sources said.

"Covid-19 does not exist. Nothing will happen to us as we worship Niyam Raja," said Niyamgiri Surakhya Manch president Sakaka Ulaka justifying the ...