Cases head north, but no one is following Covid norms here

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 25

Though the number of Covid-19 cases reported from the district has been on the rise for the past few days, a visit to the marketplaces revealed that people have not started to take the threat seriously.

The district has reported 276 positive cases in the last six days; nearly 50% of the total 576 cases were reported in the month of February. The changed scenario has forced the health and civil administration to take a number of remedial steps such as notifying the infected areas as micro-containment zones, a practice which was abandoned in the past few months.

While the administration is planning to enforce the use of masks at public places strictly, a large number of people can be seen roaming around at crowded places without even wearing a mask. The increase in the number of positive cases has also created a panic among a section of the small shopkeepers and traders who anticipate that the government could again restrict the working hours to check the rush in markets.

Amanpreet Singh, a shopkeeper in Putlighar area, said, “Last year, we were forced to keep our shops closed first due to the lockdown and then due to further restrictions. It is just now that the situation has bounced back to normal.” He said another lockdown or even restrictions on working hours would prove detrimental to shopkeepers and traders.

A health official stated that people have not been taking the disease seriously. “If not for your own sake, follow guidelines in view of the risk to the family members who might have weak immunity,” he said. Meanwhile, ADC Himanshu Aggarwal said people need to follow all guidelines strictly. “The administration is working to contain the spread of the disease,” he said, adding that people who have come in contact with the infected ones should voluntarily disclose it and get tested at the earliest.

Covid Update
New cases: 61
Total cases: 15,600
New deaths: 0
Total deaths: 592
New recovery: 18
Total recovery 14,621
Active 387

Helpline numbers for Covid patients

City Control Room Numbers: 0183-2500398, 2500498, 2500598\
Health Department helpline: 0183-2535322, 0183-2535323
Medical helpline:104
Contact a doctor: 1800 180 4104
Bed availability and status: Punjab Covid App (updated daily at 5 pm)