4 medical staff among 8 new cases in Jalandhar

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 10

With eight new patients reported in the district today, the Jalandhar tally has risen to 175.

The new patients include four medical professionals, two Basti Sheikh residents, a SARI case and another patient, a Gurdaspur native who was tested here but at present admitted to the DMC, Ludhiana. The four medical professionals include two doctors, aged 31 years and 35 years, respectively, a 56-year-old technician and a 36-year-old woman, all employees of Kidney Hospital, Jalandhar.

The other four patients testing positive in the district today include a 91-year-old man from Jandu Singha, a SARI case; two women (aged 50 and 54 years) from Basti Sheikh, one of whom is confirmed to be a Municipal Corporation employee; and an 80-year-old Gurdaspur man.

While less than a fortnight ago, rumours of testing at Kidney Hospital had made rounds in the district, the Health Department had refused to issue a confirmation on the same. Days later, today, four employees of the hospital have tested positive. One of the doctors who have tested positive is a resident of Kapurthala.

Sources said a patient, who had also visited Guru Nanak Mission Hospital where a supervisor tested positive days ago, had also visited Kidney Hospital. Another patient, who is a contact of that patient is also admitted to the DMC.

Samples of over 18 persons from Kidney Hospital and over 90 at Guru Nanak Mission Hospital have already been tested.

As per senior health officials, the mission hospital also had a history of treating at least three patients who later tested positive. A section of Johal Hospital had also been sealed after a patient, who received treatment there, had tested positive, a fact confirmed by the hospital authorities.

Meanwhile, an employee of Sacred Heart Hospital had also tested positive. But he had been discharged after testing negative. No other contacts of the employee had tested positive.

Notably, health officials have revealed details about these hospitals, after their samples tested positive. Though OPDs of the hospitals are open, no information was issued at the time when samples of employees at the hospitals begin getting tested.

Health officials said the due procedure had been followed with the all hospitals and the entire hospitals had been sanitised. Nodal Officer, Jalandhar, Dr TP Singh, said: “A strict protocol is being followed for the hospitals. Suspected contacts are being quarantined and the entire premises are sanitised. We are also looking into other steps which can be taken and a list of such hospitals is also being sought.”

Travellers coming via flight to pay Rs 1K to Rs 7,500 for quarantine facilities

From May 13 onwards, people returning to the city will have to pay for the quarantine facilities being availed by them in the district. A price tag ranging from Rs 1,000 to a whopping Rs 7,500 will be put on the quarantine facilities set up at 27 establishments, including hotels and inns, in the district. A private educational institution is among the 27 establishments where an institutional quarantine is being set up.

A letter issued in this regard by the District Magistrate said the rate for self-quarantine facilities for travellers was being listed. The list includes a total of 27 establishments, including some plush hotels, whose quarantine charges are priced as high as Rs 4,500 to Rs 7,500 for suites as well as single and double occupancy rooms. The prices include three meals, tea twice a day and milk once a day).

Anupam Kler, Deputy Director (local bodies), said: “The charges will apply only for people coming via flights from May 13. Travellers can pick a place of their choice. Adequate staff will also be deputed for their care.”