April worst month for Panchkula since pandemic broke out

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, April 30

The month of April saw 8,014 cases and 53 deaths in the district, making it the worst Covid month in terms of the number of infections since the pandemic outbreak.

Of 190 bodies cremated at the Sector 20 crematorium this month, a majority was of Covid victims. Officials claimed that a certain number of bodies cremated at the district cremation grounds were from outside the district, including adjoining Mohali. “That is why the data received from the cremation grounds and that of the Health Department don’t match,” they said.

Earlier, the month of August had recorded 3,762 cases and 66 deaths during the first Covid wave.

The major challenge that the district faced throughout the month of April was availability of oxygen and ventilator/BiPAP beds due to a rise in the number of serious patients requiring hospitalisation. Of roughly 400 oxygen beds across the district, one won’t find many available. According to health officials, the beds get filled in no time of their addition. They, however, contend that a majority of patients at various hospitals, including the Civil Hospital, were not local citizens.

Positivity rate a concern

Every fifth person undergoing testing is turning out to be positive as positivity rate hovers near 20 per cent, said Civil Surgeon Dr Jasjeet Kaur.

Tracing still a problem

According to senior health officials, tracking and tracing remains a major challenge for them as patients either give wrong address while undergoing testing or switch off their mobile phones after being tested. “On an average, the whereabouts of 30 per cent of those testing positive remain unknown,” a senior doctor said.

‘26K infections by May 13’

Health officials have projected the overall tally to touch the 26,000 mark by May 13 if daily infection count rises at the prevailing rate.