Covid cases up, experts from Delhi visit Patiala district hospitals

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 29

Patiala district is witnessing a steep upsurge in the number of Covid-19 cases. The district reported 17 cases on Wednesday, all of which were reported from Patiala city. A team of health experts from Delhi also reached Patiala to take stock of the situation.

There has been a rise in the number of cases since days. The Health Department had identified 10 positive cases on Tuesday and seven on Monday. The health officials have directed people to remain cautious. They said the number of cases in the district had touched 49,072, while 1,363 deaths had been reported.

District epidemiologist Dr Sumit Singh said a team of experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi, visited the Mata Kaushalya Hospital and the Rajindra Hospital to take stock of the situation. “We have a gene sequencing lab in the district. Patiala is also the referral point,” he said, adding that the team would submit its report to the Ministry in Delhi.

He said, “Looking at the graph of Covid-19 cases reported from other countries, we are expecting that the number of infected persons will rise in the district. Therefore, people are advised to adhere to the directions of the Health Department.” He said people should refrain from gathering in huge numbers.

The Health Department stated that the latest reports showed low hospitalisation of Covid patients, but the rate of transmission was high. Charanjit Singh, SDM, Patiala, said no guidelines were issued regarding gatherings. “The directions of the Health Department and the state should be followed.”

Avoid gatherings, advise health officials

• Officials of the district Health Department said the number of Covid cases were expected to rise. District epidemiologist Dr Sumit Singh said people should refrain from gathering in huge numbers
• Patiala SDM Charanjit Singh said no special guidelines were issued regarding gatherings and the directions of the Health Department and the state should be followed