Nearly 1% people in Chandigarh hit by Covid : The Tribune India

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Nearly 1% people in Chandigarh hit by Covid

For every 10 lakh people, the national average is 4,000 cases and 71 deaths while it is 9,552 cases and 113 deaths in Chandigarh.

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20

Covid-19 has affected nearly one per cent of the UT’s population (as per the 2011 Census) as the case count today surpassed the 10,000 mark today.

For every 10 lakh people, the national average is 4,000 cases and 71 deaths while it is 9,552 cases and 113 deaths in Chandigarh. Experts have called for revised measures to reduce the Covid mortality rate. In September alone, 64 deaths have been recorded in the city.

Dr KK Talwar, former Director, PGI, and Health Adviser to Punjab Govt

‘Mask only vaccine available’

Available evidence suggests that wearing a mask is very effective in slowing the spread of the disease. At present, mask is the only vaccine available to us. It can help develop gradual immunity against the virus and lead to mild disease. People should not underestimate the importance of wearing a mask.

Dr KK Talwar, former Director, PGI, and health adviser to Punjab Government, said, “We should take society’s help in keeping the mortality rate low. We should urge people to report to a hospital or clinic as soon as they develop symptoms, even if they test negative later. Elderly persons should be extra cautious as the mortality rate is higher in patients with comorbidities and above 60 years of age.”

There is apparently no on-demand testing in Chandigarh. In a fresh advisory released by the Indian Council of Medical Research, it is recommended that any individual who wants to get tested should be allowed to do so. Dr Talwar said, “People should be allowed a walk-in test at any government facility free of cost. We have allowed on-demand testing in government facilities of Punjab. A lot of people are poor and cannot afford tests at private laboratories.”

According to recent reports, the universal mask wearing may decrease the chances of infection spread. Even if infected, the mask will help decrease the amount of virus particles the person gets exposed to, thus causing only asymptomatic infection or mild Covid-19.

What UT needs to focus on

A Central team in the city for 10 days has made the following suggestions on the basis of its assessment of the Covid situation.

One contact-tracing team for every 20 to 25 active cases
Contact all new cases within 24 hrs
No level 1 (mild) case should be admitted to level 2 (moderate) or level 3 (severe) centres
Family members of positive cases should be contacted by doctors
Test symptomatic contacts of patients immediately
Test result should be communicated to the person tested