At 15.3%, Himachal Pradesh has highest positivity rate

Tribune News Service
Shimla, November 24

The Covid situation in Himachal has become alarming with the hill state having the highest positivity rate of 15.3 per cent in the country, resulting in the health infrastructure crumbling.

The state has left behind Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat, which were the main hotspots. The positive cases have shot up in the last fortnight, especially in the four districts of Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Kangra where night curfew has been imposed.

There is shortage of beds, oxygen, oximeters and ambulances to ferry patients. Patients are being encouraged to go in for home isolation but with a huge number of positive cases requiring oxygen, hospitalisation becomes inevitable, said sources.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur claimed there was no shortage of oxygen but admitted that there was scarcity of beds due to the sudden surge. “We are closely monitoring the situation and, if need be, we can go in for stricter restrictions,” said the CM while talking to The Tribune. He said the setting up of makeshift hospitals too would be expedited keeping in mind the surging numbers.

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