Ludhiana logs highest spike of 218 cases, 6 fatalities

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 31

The district today logged its highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases with 218 persons testing positive. Six more succumbed to the viral infection taking the death toll to 88. The number of confirmed cases in the district has reached up to 3,246.

According to the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajesh Bagga, 111 confirmed cases were reported by government health institutions while 115 positive reports were received from private hospitals. Of these confirmed cases, 218 were from the district, six from the districts of Bathinda (two), Fatehgarh Sahib (two), Ferozepur (two), Jalandhar (one), and two from Delhi and Bihar.

Among those who succumbed to Covid in the past 24 hours were a 65-year-old woman from Manakwal village and a 66-year-old woman of Singhpura Mohalla (both died at the DMCH), a 43-year-old woman from Dashmesh Colony and a 47-year-old man from Basti Jodhewal (Civil Hospital), a 58-year-old man from Kot Mangal Singh (PGI, Chandigarh) and a 24-year-old woman from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony (Mohan Dai Oswal Hospital).

73 +ve persons have influenza-like illness

Dr Bagga said the 218 positive cases, for which test reports were received today, include 73 persons suffering from ILI (influenza-like illness), 85 detected in contact tracing, 20 reported from OPDs, six from among health and community service workforce, six undertrials, four police personnel, two pregnant women, two patients of SARI (severe acute respiratory infection), one international traveler and one domestic traveler.

Further, 1,073 more samples of suspect patients were sent for testing and 107 rapid response teams of health workers screened 463 persons, of which 365 were placed under home quarantine.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu flagged off Phase II of an awareness campaign under ‘Mission Fateh’. Under the drive, IEC vans to be run by the district administration would be used to create awareness against Covid-19.

The minister said Punjab was going through a crucial time but the people needed to keep themselves motivated. Media teams have been instructed to educate, apprise and motivate the people to fight the Covid virus.