Death toll crosses 500 mark in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 7

Covid death toll in the district today crossed the 500 mark with eight patients losing their battle against the virus. The toll now stands at 507. The number of positive patients reached 11,998 with 214 fresh infections. Besides, 40 people were on ventilator support.

On July 10, Covid-19 fatality rate (CFR) of the district was 2 per cent and on July 31, it rose to 3 per cent. On August 1, the CFR was 3 per cent and by August 31, it was 3.8 per cent. Today, the CFR of the district went up to 4.2 per cent against the state CFR of 2.9 per cent.

Those who succumbed to the virus include six men and two women. They belonged to Jamalpur, Haibowal Kalan, Model Town, Samrala, Indra Nagar and Mahavir Colony. The patients were in the age group of 40-70 years and had co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and heart ailments. One of them was a chronic smoker.

The patients were admitted to Deep Hospital, GTB Hospital, SPS Hospital and RHP Hospital.

Of those who tested positive today, 74 reported at OPDs, 53 at flu corners and 33 were identified during contact tracing. Eight policemen were among the fresh cases.

Doctors donate plasma

After policemen, doctors have now come forward to donate plasma for Covid patients. Resident doctors of Hero DMCH Heart Institute donated plasma for critical Covid patients.

Two resident doctors, Dr Ashish Garg and Dr Bhanu Partap, recently contracted infection. Both have recovered and joined back their duty. Today, they donated plasma.

“The procedure is painless and it takes just half an hour. There are no side effects. By donating plasma, antibody titre does not fall. So every person, who has defeated Covid, should come forward to donate plasma,” said Dr Garg.

Dr Bhanu Partap said it was the duty of the doctors to serve people and they went a step ahead.

“It is pandemic times and we need to think beyond our duties. We are already serving people but we thought of going a step further and donated plasma so that Covid critical patients can be saved,” said Dr Bhanu.

Meanwhile, a Sub-inspector, an ASI, a havildar and a constable, who have recovered from Covid, also donated plasma. As many as 53 more policemen have shown their willingness to donate plasma.

Felicitation ceremony

A felicitation ceremony for plasma donors was held at Hero DMC Heart Institute. Deputy Commissioner Virender Kumar Sharma and Police Commissioner Rakesh Agrawal were present on the occasion. At the function, Covid warriors, who have donated plasma, were honoured.