6 of Banga victim’s kin, one contact test positive, Punjab tally rises to 14

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 21

Six family members of the 70-year-old resident of Banga village who died after contracting Covid-19 today tested positive for the disease.

They include three sons, a 36-year-old daughter, a 40-year-old daughter-in-law and a 17-year-old granddaughter of the victim. As many as 17 members of the victim’s family stay at his Pathlawa village residence. The victim had returned recently after visiting Germany and Italy.

Another 60-year-old resident of Maoranwali village, a granthi of Pathlawa village dera, also tested positive for Covid-19 this morning. With this, eight positive cases linked to the victim have been reported and the state tally has risen to 14.

In the past two days, the health department has taken 17 samples of the victim’s family members and close associates at Pathlawa. Of these, seven were taken on Thursday and 11 on Friday. Six of these came out positive, while the result of the 11 samples taken yesterday is awaited.

Nawanshahr epidemiologist Dr Shyam Veda said: “We are seeking contact history details of the patients and identifying new people every day. Any new suspected patient will be subsequently tested.”

Dr Gagandeep Singh Grover, state programme officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, said: “Seven new cases tested positive today, including six of the victim’s family and a contact. As per government directions, we have increased testing substantially. So far 181 persons have been tested in the state with 14 turning out positive.”

Granddaughter took CBSE class XII exam

• The victim’s granddaughter had taken a CBSE Class XII economics exam on March 13 at one of its centres — KC School in Nawanshahr
• The administration has taken details of the students and supervisors present in the room that day
• School principal Gurjit Singh said: “I have provided the officials details sought by them.” The health teams plan to contact parents to ensure they do not catch infection