15 lose battle to Covid in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 22

There is no respite from increasing Covid cases in the city. Today, 360 people tested positive for the virus, taking the number of patients to 8,508. Besides, 15 persons lost their lives to the virus in the district, taking the death toll to 303.

Among the deceased, there were women. A majority of the patients had co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension while one was suffering from cancer.

A 60-year-old man from BRS Nagar, who died of Covid, was a cancer patient. He died at SPS Hospital. A 69-year-old resident of Udham Singh Nagar, who was also suffering from a heart ailment, breathed his last at the DMCH.

Three deceased belong to Khanna and one to Payal. The others were from Bulara, New Kundan Puri, Singla Enclave, Upkar Nagar, Muradpura, New Shivaji Nagar and Urban Estate, all of them were in the age group of 60-70 years.

18 healthcare workers among infected

A maximum number of fresh cases were contacts of positive persons. As many as 111 infections emerged during contact tracing while 95 cases were reported from flu corners. There were 18 healthcare workers, seven undertrials, three policemen, one government official, two pre-operative cases, two pregnant women and 44 cases reported at OPDs among fresh infections.

Today, 361 people were placed under home quarantine and 2,534 samples were collected. Ludhiana at present has five containment zones and 37 micro containment zones.

Home isolation made simple

Meanwhile, making it simple for those opting for home isolation, people now don’t need to go to hospitals for check-up and filling in forms. Every formality will be done at the time of testing, and if one tests positive, his or her form will be sent to the administration for approval.

Drive at malls to ecourage workers for Covid test

Mass media teams met the managements of various shopping malls of the city and asked them to encourage their employees for testing.

Civil Surgeon dispels myths, rumours

Dr Rajesh Kumar Bagga, Civil Surgeon of Ludhiana, said people were afraid of getting tested for Covid because there were so many myths and rumours. “In order to distinguish between positive and negative patients, people need to understand that the policies have been amended for their comfort. Now, positive people can stay in home isolation through an app launched by the district administration recently. To make society up and running like old days before the pandemic, each one of us has to contribute to neutralise the virus. Least we can do is follow preventive guidelines and get tested for Covid, which is being done in government hospitals free of cost,” said Dr Bagga.