69 Kullu farm labourers among 180 infected; man dies in Mandi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 13

The state today recorded the highest-ever single day spike of 180 cases, taking the tally of the infected persons to 3,816, including 17 deaths.

Kullu district contributed to the high viral load with 69 persons testing positive for the infection. All are farm labourers. Of these, 30 are engaged at an orchard at Nagabag in Kullu. They were in quarantine.

11 cases in Chamba

• Eleven more persons tested positive in Chamba
• Those who tested positive include five of a family
• They were staying in the Dharog locality of Chamba and were the primary contacts of a positive patient

Meanwhile, the state also reported the 17th Covid death. A 68-year-old man from Chachiyot in Mandi succumbed to the deadly virus at the Mandi medical college.

A total of 19 cases were reported from Hamirpur, 18 Una, 14 Mandi, 13 Chamba, 10 each from Kinnaur and Solan, nine each from Shimla and Sirmaur, seven Bilaspur and two from Kangra.

Highest spike in Kullu

As many as 69 farm labourers, who had come from other states, tested positive for Covid-19 in the district today. Kullu SP Gaurav Singh said that all of them were in the quarantine centre at Nangabag.

According to information, around 2,500 farm labourers had arrived in the district. The major produce of the Kullu valley is apple and the fruit season continues from July to September. Around 149 Covid cases were reported in the past eight days and 146 of them were farm labourers, who had come from other states.

Deputy Commissioner Richa Verma said that all patients had been kept at isolated places and Covid care centres. The administration was well prepared to tackle the situation, she added.

Meanwhile, local residents said that labourers coming from other states should be allowed to enter the state only after their Covid tests at the borders. They added that instant test kits were available now and Covid patients could be identified and prevented from entering the state.

Mandi man dies of Covid

A 68-year-old patient died at Mandi medical college today due to Covid infection. The deceased was identified as Daulat Ram of Bara village in the district.

According to the medical college authorities, the patient was admitted on last night. He was in a critical condition and had chest pain for the last two days and was taking treatment for tuberculosis.

Jeevanand Chauhan, Senior Medical Superintendent of the medical college, said the sample of the patient was taken to detect the infection and his medical report was found positive today. Meanwhile, 14 new cases were reported from the district, he added.

10 infected in Solan

Ten persons, including a pregnant woman from Baddi, tested positive in Solan district.

Medical Officer Dr NK Gupta said nine cases came from the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) belt which include four women. Seven are the direct contacts of earlier patients from Bhud and Thana villages and Trisis Ventures Industry, Baddi.

One person, admitted to MMU medical college near Kumarhatti, also tested positive in Solan.

21 cases in Sirmaur

Twentyone cases, including two boys and two policemen, tested Covid positive in Sirmaur district.

DC Dr RK Pruthi said nine cases pertained to Paonta Sahib and four to Nahan.

Of the cases, two were women and seven men. They include two policemen, who are the contacts of the Commandant 4, IRB Battalion, Jungleberi. Two family members of an infected policeman also tested positive.

Others hail from Majra, Rajban and Bhagwanpur areas and are the primary contacts of other patients. Their contact mapping is underway.

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