Covid: Health Department fails to ramp up testing in Patiala district

Patiala, June 27

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Though there is a rise in Covid cases, the Health Department couldn’t ramp up testing in the district. The Health Department today collected only 368 Covid samples in the district.

The sampling count on Sunday was 98. However, health officials claimed that people were not coming forward and were reluctant to undergo Covid test.

Patiala today reported 11 positive cases, thereby taking the tally of active cases to 74. Of 11 cases, eight were reported from Patiala city alone. Kauli block reported two cases, while one case was reported from Bhadson.

The department today wrote to all the government and private hospitals in the district to start screening patients with symptoms of cough, cold and fever.

The Health Department also directed the hospitals to avoid crowding in the OPD areas and strict compliance of Covid appropriate behaviour by the medical and paramedical staff.

Officials of the Health Department claimed that people — despite a rise in Covid cases — had stopped wearing masks at public places. A senior official of the department said, “People have become complacent towards Covid. They don’t wear masks even in hospitals and public places.”

Dr Sumeet Singh, District Epidemiologist, said people were reluctant to undergo test. He said the residents were not ready to undergo testing even after the recommendation of health professionals. He said, “All our centres are conducting Covid tests. We appeal to the people to get themselves tested for Covid if they have symptoms.”