As paddy procurement kicks off, Patiala health department starts corona tests at mandis

Tribune News Service
Patiala, September 29

As the paddy procurement kicks off, the Patiala health department has already started special screening in grain markets to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The health department on Tuesday took coronavirus samples of farmers, labourers, and commissioned agents at the Seel grain market, here. 

However, of the 60 samples taken of the said grain market, none tested positive for the coronavirus.

The health department informed that they had chalked out a plan for sampling at grain markets even before the paddy season started.  

It is pertinent to mention that Punjab Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu had flagged off the paddy procurement at Rajpura Grain Market on Sunday and claimed that masks, soaps, and sanitizers were provided to farmers at the grain markets. 

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Harish Malhotra said they would hold screening camps at various grain markets in the district to stem the spread.

He said, “We have already started the screening at grain markets. All the stakeholders in the paddy procurement will be tested for the coronavirus. Early detection of the cases will help to curb the local spread.”

Meanwhile, Patiala on Tuesday reported only 71 cases of coronavirus. Of the 71 positive cases, 42 were reported from Patiala city, nine Rajpura, one Dudhan Sadhan, two Samana, two Harpalpur, and one from Dudhan Sadhan. Besides, four cases each were reported from Bhadson and Kauli Block.

Dr Malhotra informed that the district count of positive cases was 11,469 while 9,839 patients had already recovered from the virus.