Health Dept starts Covid sampling at mandis in Patiala

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 29

As procurement of paddy kicks off in the district, the Patiala Health department has started special screening in grain markets to curb the spread of Covid.

Covid samples of farmers, laborers and commission agents were collected at the Seel grain market here today.

However, of 60 samples collected from grain market, none tested positive for Covid. The Health Department said they had chalked out a plan for sampling at grain markets even before the paddy season started.

Punjab Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu had flagged off the paddy procurement at the Rajpura grain market on Sunday and claimed that masks, soaps and sanitisers were provided to farmers at the grain markets.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Harish Malhotra said they would hold screening camps at various grain markets in the district to stem the spread. He said: “We have already started the screening process at grain markets. All those involved in the paddy procurement process will be tested for Covid. Early detection of cases will help to curb the spread.”

Meanwhile, Patiala today reported only 71 Covid cases — 42 from Patiala city, nine from Rajpura, one from Dudhan Sadhan, two from Samana, two Harpalpur and one from Dudhan Sadhan. Besides, four cases each were reported from Bhadson and Kauli Block. Dr Mahotra said the district count of positives was 11,469 while 9,839 patients had already recovered from the virus.

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