7 residents found infected with UK strain of Covid
The patients have no history of international travel, say officials
26/03/2021
Mohit Khanna
mohit.khanna@htdigital.in
Ludhiana : Seven people from the district have been found infected with the UK strain of coronavirus, revealed the genome sequencing test report that also established that 81% of the total samples sent by Punjab carried that variant.
Among those infected is a student of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Gadvasu).
Confirming the development, state epidemiologist Dr Rajesh Bhasker said the UK variant was found in seven samples sent from Ludhiana.
Apart from the district, the new variant was found in the samples sent from Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Kapurthala and Jalandhar. The seven people who have been found infected with new UK strain have no history of international travel.
The health department is suspecting that those infected with the new variant may have come in contact with the NRIs returning from the United Kingdom (UK).
According to the information, the new strain was found in a 21-year-old second-year student at Gadvasu. The student lives in Gurdaspur. His sample was taken on March 8 and he tested positive on March 9. After this, he returned home and went into isolation. Apart from this, the UK strain has been found in the samples of three residents of Mangli Uchi besides a resident of Amloh Road, Khanna. Two more men from Khanna were found to be carrying the UK strain.
Health dept in a tizzy
Civil surgeon Dr Sukhjeevan Kakkar maintained that they have not received any official report so far. “But we have intensified testing and vaccination process in the city. We urge people to maintain social distancing, wear masks and frequently wash their hands,” he added.
Over 320 coronavirus samples from Punjab were found to have the UK lineage, a reference to a new strain of the virus that had emerged in the Britain in December.
The genetic mutations enable it to spread faster, said health community medicine department Clarence J Samuel, professor and head of department of community medicine at Christian Medical College and Hospital. Dr Bishav Mohan, member of the Covid task force of the state, said both the vaccines currently available are effective against the new strain of virus.
Instructions for genome sequencing came in Jan
A guideline regarding the genome sequencing of corona samples was released by the state health department in January.
In this, instructions were given to DCs and civil surgeons that between September and December last year, genome sequencing of 5% of the total samples found corona positive were sent for testing. The samples of seven people in which the new strain has been found, were also sent on random basis.
Another highest daily spike in Ludhiana as Covid rages on
Amid the growing concerns of over 81% samples sent by the state for genome sequencing turning up positive for the new UK variant of Covid-19, more than 300 coronavirus cases were reported on the fourth consecutive day in Ludhiana on TuesdayBy HT Correspondent, LudhianaPUBLISHED ON MAR 24, 2021 01:17 AM IST
Amid the growing concerns of over 81% samples sent by the state for genome sequencing turning up positive for the new UK variant of Covid-19, more than 300 coronavirus cases were reported on the fourth consecutive day in Ludhiana on Tuesday.
Another highest daily spike in Ludhiana as Covid rages on
Amid the growing concerns of over 81% samples sent by the state for genome sequencing turning up positive for the new UK variant of Covid-19, more than 300 coronavirus cases were reported on the fourth consecutive day in Ludhiana on TuesdayBy HT Correspondent, LudhianaPUBLISHED ON MAR 24, 2021 01:17 AM IST
Amid the growing concerns of over 81% samples sent by the state for genome sequencing turning up positive for the new UK variant of Covid-19, more than 300 coronavirus cases were reported on the fourth consecutive day in Ludhiana on Tuesday.
The district also saw four deaths, which took the toll to 1,089.
The district logged 364 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, toppling the Saturday, Sunday, Monday’s records. The Tuesday’s figure has now become the highest single-day count of the year so far.
With 28,174 recoveries so far, the district is left with 1,089 active cases. Dr Bishav Mohan, member of the Covid task force of the state, said both the vaccines currently available are effective against the new strain of virus.
“We were suspecting the new strain to be the reason behind the sudden spurt in corona cases,” said Dr Mohan.
Meanwhile, civil surgeon Dr Sukhjeevan Kakkar said it was not yet known how many from Ludhiana were infected with the UK strain of the virus. “We have not yet not received any official details about it,” the doctor added.
On Monday, ENT specialist Dr Arun Mitra had tested positive for the second time, triggering a debate that he was infected with the new strain of the virus. Dr Mitra was inoculated about 10 days ago.
The latest fatalities in Ludhiana included a 64-year-old man from Moti Nagar, a 68-year-old woman from Railway Colony, a 34-year-old man from Shatbgarh village and a 36-year-old man from Malakpuri.
Undertrials, travellers, teachers among those infected
Two undertrials and domestic travellers, three healthcare workers, nine teachers and three students have tested positive for the virus in Ludhiana on Tuesday.
All three students are from BCM School in Shastri Nagar.
Among others infected are teachers from Oxford Model School in Hans Kalan, a student from Government High School, Rumi, a teacher from DPS, another teacher from GSSS, Bhaini Sahib, a teacher from GSSS, Mundian Kalan, a teacher from Dwarka School in Raikot, and one each from BSM School in Shastri Nagar and GSS Rajewal.
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Another highest daily spike in Ludhiana as Covid rages on
Amid the growing concerns of over 81% samples sent by the state for genome sequencing turning up positive for the new UK variant of Covid-19, more than 300 coronavirus cases were reported on the fourth consecutive day in Ludhiana on TuesdayBy HT Correspondent, LudhianaPUBLISHED ON MAR 24, 2021 01:17 AM IST
Amid the growing concerns of over 81% samples sent by the state for genome sequencing turning up positive for the new UK variant of Covid-19, more than 300 coronavirus cases were reported on the fourth consecutive day in Ludhiana on Tuesday.
The district also saw four deaths, which took the toll to 1,089.
The district logged 364 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, toppling the Saturday, Sunday, Monday’s records. The Tuesday’s figure has now become the highest single-day count of the year so far.
With 28,174 recoveries so far, the district is left with 1,089 active cases. Dr Bishav Mohan, member of the Covid task force of the state, said both the vaccines currently available are effective against the new strain of virus.
“We were suspecting the new strain to be the reason behind the sudden spurt in corona cases,” said Dr Mohan.
Meanwhile, civil surgeon Dr Sukhjeevan Kakkar said it was not yet known how many from Ludhiana were infected with the UK strain of the virus. “We have not yet not received any official details about it,” the doctor added.MORE FROM THIS SECTION
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On Monday, ENT specialist Dr Arun Mitra had tested positive for the second time, triggering a debate that he was infected with the new strain of the virus. Dr Mitra was inoculated about 10 days ago.
The latest fatalities in Ludhiana included a 64-year-old man from Moti Nagar, a 68-year-old woman from Railway Colony, a 34-year-old man from Shatbgarh village and a 36-year-old man from Malakpuri.
Undertrials, travellers, teachers among those infected
Two undertrials and domestic travellers, three healthcare workers, nine teachers and three students have tested positive for the virus in Ludhiana on Tuesday.
All three students are from BCM School in Shastri Nagar.
Among others infected are teachers from Oxford Model School in Hans Kalan, a student from Government High School, Rumi, a teacher from DPS, another teacher from GSSS, Bhaini Sahib, a teacher from GSSS, Mundian Kalan, a teacher from Dwarka School in Raikot, and one each from BSM School in Shastri Nagar and GSS Rajewal.
Besides, a staffer from PAU also tested positive.
5,414 people inoculated
As many as 5,414 people turned up for Covid vaccination at various government and private health centres in Ludhiana on Tuesday. These included 1,756 senior citizens and 1,282 comorbid people. Besides, 395 healthcare workers came for the first dose, while 107 received the second dose. As many as 1,570 frontline warriors received the first jab on Tuesday, while 304 got the second vaccination dose. So far, 1,15,280 people in the district have been inoculated.
39 casualties, 2,305 cases in 9 days
In the last nine days, the district has recorded a total of 39 Covid-related deaths and 2,305 fresh infections with over 200 new cases being added to the tally every single day. However, it is for the fourth time in over five months that the single-day count has breached the 300-mark.
On March 15, the week had started with 226 cases, followed by 245 infections on March 16, while 233 cases were reported on March 17. On March 18, as many as 237 cases were reported. On March 19, the positive count reached 292. Cases on March 20 were 329, on March 21, 330 and 341 infections were logged on March 22.
While four people died on March 15, six deaths were witnessed on March 16. The virus had claimed five lives on March 17, while four patients died on March 18 and 19 each. Two persons died on March 20, while eight deaths were reported on March 21. After two deaths on March 22, four fatalities were reported on Tuesday.
Hindustan Times: Another highest daily spike in Ludhiana as Covid rages on
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Dip in mercury expected to boost wheat growth in region
23/03/2021
Mohit Khanna
ludhiana@hindustantimes.com
Ludhiana : The cloud cover coupled with a drizzle that led to a dip in temperature on Monday is expected to boost the growth of wheat crop in the region.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 28.6 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 17.8 degrees Celsius.
According to the meteorological department, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy with a possibility of thundershowers in Ludhiana and its adjoining areas during the next 24 hours.
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) vice-chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon stated that the low temperature is good for the wheat crop but rain and wind may result in lodging.
District agriculture officer Natinder Singh Benipal said that there had been no report of flattening of the crop from Ludhiana.
“The temperatures in February and March were higher than normal which is detrimental for the wheat crop. Ideally, for proper ripening of the crop, temperatures need to remain under 30 degrees Celsius in March,” said Benipal.
He further said that if it would have rained heavily coupled with a storm then there could have been a threat of flattening of crops at some places.
“Many farmers are connected with us through various social medial platforms. We had informed them about the weather condition and had advised them to not water their fields,” said Benipal.
Prabhjyot Kaur Sidhu, director of department of climate change and agriculture meteorology, said that PAU had issued an advisory to the farmer to delay the harvesting of the crop.
Thousands of PPE kits gather dust at zila parishad office; official blames space crunch
23/03/2021
Mohit Khanna
mohit.khanna@htdigital.in
#Ludhiana : At the time when Covid cases are surging in the district, thousands of PPE kits are gathering dust at the zila parishad office where medical equipment is kept.
While bundles of PPE kits are lying in the open, the remaining protective gear, including masks, are kept in cardboard boxes.
According to chief pharmacist Butta Singh, the material was kept in the open due to the shortage of space.
“PPE kits are made of plastic and wrapped in polythene. These could withstand extreme weather conditions. Though these PPE kits are kept in the open, we have deployed a security guard to protect them. So far, no incident of theft of PPE has been reported,” Butta Singh said. However, PPE manufacturer Avneesh Aggarwal disputes the claim of chief pharmacist Butta Singh.
He said there are two types of PPE kits — those with no tapes could withstand harsh weather conditions, but the ones with tapes could get damaged if kept under direct sunlight and high temperature for a longer period.
Besides PPE kits, stretchers are also kept in the open. Last year, the substandard quality of PPE kits and face masks had triggered massive protest by the doctors of civil hospital, prompting the health authorities to swing into action to replace the medical stock.
As per civil surgeon and nodal officer for Covid-19 vaccination drive Dr Kiran Ahluwalia, PPE kits are distributed to the government hospitals as per the requirement. Dr GS Grewal, former president of Punjab Medical Council, said, “The irresponsible manner in which the PPE kits are stored speaks a lot about the seriousness of the health department. The equipment is meant to protect doctors from being exposed to the virus and needs to be stored under controlled environment.”.
Negligent attitude triggered spike in cases, say health experts
20/03/2021
HT Correspondent
ludhiana@hindustantimes.com
LUDHIANA : Not following Covid-appropriate behaviour and changing weather conditions have led to another major surge in virus cases in Punjab, said health experts here on Friday.
They were speaking at a live panel interaction organised by a city-based NGO at the office of Ludhiana additional deputy commissioner (ADC) AS Bains.
The panel comprising senior physician Dr Mary John, cardiologist Dr Bishav Mohan, Dr Rajesh Mahajan, district Covid-19 vaccine nodal officer Dr Kiran Ahluwalia and ADC Bains stressed on strictly following social distancing norms and wearing face masks.
Dr John, Dr Mohan and Dr Mahajan are also members of the state Covid-19 task force.
During the discussion, Dr Mohan said, “In Punjab, we are witnessing a sudden spurt in infection and increased hospitalisation. During the first wave, one or two members of a household would usually catch the infection, but now we are seeing entire families getting sick with the virus.”
At present, 40 to 45% youngsters are contacting the virus, which was about 20 to 25% last year, he said. The spurt in cases seen in July, August and September last year suggests that this virus multiplies the most during changing weather, he said.
“Vaccination, social distancing, wearing masks and Covid-appropriate behaviour are the only ways to curtail the spread of this pandemic,” said Dr Rajesh Mahajan.
14 students, 7 teachers among 226 fresh cases in Ludhiana district
Four, including 2 women, fall prey to Covid; dist toll 1,054
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, March 15
The number of people testing positive for Covid is increasing with each passing day. Today, 226 persons tested positive while four lost their lives to the virus. The total number of positive cases from Ludhiana district has reached 29,059 while 1,054 persons from the district have succumbed to the virus so far.
Today’s positive cases include seven teachers and 14 students. The teachers who tested positive include one from the GHS, Shahpur Road, two from GMT Public School, Jalandhar Bypass, a teacher from Greenland Senior Secondary Public School, Jalandhar bypass, a teacher from Guru Nanak International Public School, Gujarkhan Campus, one teacher from DPS and another teacher from the BCM, Shastri Nagar.
The students who tested positive today include one from the GSSS, Nurpur Bet, six students from the GSSS, Sanhewal, three students from the GHS, Khadur, a student from the GSSS, Badowal, a student from Lord Mahavir Homeo College, a student from Om Public School, Karabara Basti, and another student from the GSSS, Badowal.
Four patients who lost their lives today were two women and two men belonging to Malak Jagraon village, Ranguwal village, Basti Jodhewal and Gurpal Nagar. They were aged between 52-73 years.
Till date, a total of 7,22,492 samples have been taken, of which reports of 7,22,212 have been received. Of these, 6,88,539 samples were found negative while reports of 280 were pending. So far, 60,574 persons had been kept under home quarantine in the district and at present, the number of such persons is 3,009. Today, 224 persons were sent for home quarantine. Today, 2,835 samples of suspected patients were sent for testing and their results are expected shortly.
Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma has urged people to be careful as the pandemic was not over yet. Hence, they have to strictly follow the Covid safety precautions.
He appealed people to not to lower their guard at any cost and help the administration in the battle against the invisible enemy.
Scribes, bank staff to get vaccination from today
Meanwhile, further expanding the Covid vaccination ambit, the Deputy Commissioner on Monday took a major decision in the public interest to ensure the safety of the wider population from the pandemic by allowing vaccination for journalists, employees of all government/private banks, government/private schools, food grain agencies, judicial officers/court staff/advocates and members of non-government organisations (NGOs), who have worked to check the spread of the pandemic by registering them as frontline workers. They can get the vaccination from tomorrow.
The move comes after the Deputy Commissioner presided over a meeting of the District Task Force to stem steep rise by accelerating the vaccination drive to face the pandemic in full blast.
He said for vaccination, they need to carry the official ID and Aadhaar card and could get Covid jab at session sites set up in the government and private hospitals.
The DC directed the Health Department to further step up the vaccination drive to ensure all eligible could be covered and have easy access to vaccine.
Bhundri village in Ludhiana district was declared a containment zone as 30 students tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday. Confirming the development, district epidemiologist Dr Ramesh Bhagat said this is the first Covid containment zone to set up in the district this year.
Civil surgeon Dr Sukhjiwan Kakkar said the entry of outsiders will be prohibited in the village. Only essential and medical service providers will be allowed in the area. Besides, the health department will conduct intensive house-to-house checking, contact tracing and sampling in the area. The primary focus would be laid on high-risk population, including the elderly, children and pregnant women, he added.
The house-to-house surveillance and contact tracing will continue for 14 days. If not more than one case is found in a week, then the restriction of the containment zone will be lifted, the civil surgeon revealed.
4 deaths, 226 new cases in district
The district recorded four more Covid-19 deaths even as the single-day infection count breached the 200-mark with 226 new cases in 24 hours, health officials said on Monday.
The previous high of over 200 cases was seen in the district on September 20 last year.
The deceased include a 73-year-old male from Jagraon, a 66-year-old female from Rangowal village, a 58-year-old female from Basti Jodhewal and a 52-year-old male from Gurpal Nagar.
The latest fatalities took the death toll to 1, 054. Earlier on Sunday, the district had recorded 197 new cases. The number of active cases in the district currently is 1, 170.
7 teachers, 14 students among infected
Among the 226 new cases, seven are teachers and 17 students of various schools and colleges in the district. Two of the teachers are from GMT Public School, Jalandhar Bypass, while one each is from Government High School, Shahpur Road, Green Land School, Jalandhar Bypass, Guru Nanak International Public School, Gujjar Khan Campus, DPS School and BCM School, Shastri Nagar. The infected students are from GSS Sahnewal, GHS Khandoor, Baddowal, Lord Mahavir Homeopathic College, Om Public School, Kara Bara Basti, Noorpur Bet.
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Vax-takers shower health staff with alcohol intake queries
12/03/2021
Mohit Khanna
ludhiana@hindustantimes.com
LUDHIANA : Senior citizens may be coming forward to get inoculated in encouraging numbers, but they are full of queries regarding the vaccination aftermath.
The health officials associated with the vaccination drive in the district say that the most frequently asked question by the jab-takers is how long they need to wait before they can start consuming liquor.
The elderly subjects also ask if they need to wear masks after the vaccination, or could they go out for a morning walk, what precautions they should take in case of fever, and can have fried or high-fat food.
Head of the community medicine department of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Dr Anirudh Chaudhary said, “These are the most frequently asked questions. However, as a physician I will not approve of consuming liquor, but any alcoholic drink can be had 72 hours after the vaccination.”
At vaccination sites, some senior citizens are also seen showing social media videos to the medical staff which suggest avoiding alcohol for over a month, say health officials.
Dr Gaurav Sachdeva, who is looking after the vaccination drive at Arora Neuro Centre, said some of the senior citizens or immune-compromised residents are avoiding vaccination due to the myth that they have to avoid consuming alcohol for over a month.“It is completely safe to consume moderate amounts of alcohol 72 hours after vaccination,” said Dr Sachdeva adding that vaccination is like wearing a seat belt or putting on a helmet before driving.
“The two doses of the vaccine build 72% immunity against the virus. Though the persons could suffer from Covid-19, the possibility of adverse events could be avoided,” said Dr Sachdeva.
On the other hand, Dr Kiran Ahluwalia, civil surgeon and nodal officer for the vaccination dive in the district, said that in case of any inconvenience or complaint, people are advised to visit a nearby health facility or call a health worker.
The helpline numbers for the said services are being made available through SMS after getting vaccinated.
“Another common rumour is that of fever. As per the data of vaccination available so far, only 5% of the people have suffered from fever or any other complication after being administered the vaccine,” said Dr Ahluwalia.
#Ludhiana
159 students, 107 staff in edu institutions infected since Jan #Ludhiana
12/03/2021
Mohit Khanna
mohit.khanna@htdigital.in
#Ludhiana : As many as 159 students and 107 staff members in over 120 educational institutions of the district have tested positive for Covid-19 since January, a report released by the health department shows.
These include around 108 schools and 16 colleges, including Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. Besides, students of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences (GADVASU) and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have also tested positive.
The health department said that they have conducted 11, 856 tests in educational institutions till March 10. The data comes close on the heels of Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) sending a report to the state health department, stating that schools are colleges are becoming hotspots of the infections.
The report had also stated that youngsters carry a high viral load but mild symptoms, and they can put the elderly at risk.
Civil surgeon Dr Kiran Ahluwalia, who is the nodal officer of the Covid vaccination drive in the district, said, “It is important that Covid safety protocols are followed strictly. In the majority of the cases, it has been observed that children sat in close proximity with each other students in schools, thus catching the infection,” said Dr Ahluwalia.
She said that the health department is working in close coordination with the education department, “We are designing programmes to spread awareness among children about social distancing, wearing of mask, frequent hand washing in order to curtail the spread of infection,” said Kiran Ahluwali. htc
District’s Covid tally crosses 28K-mark 1,000 new cases added in just 10 days; It was on Feb 27 that the infections had crossed the 27,000-mark
10/03/2021
HT Correspondent
ludhiana@hindustantimes.com
#Ludhiana : With three deaths and 125 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, the cumulative count of Covid-19 cases in Ludhiana crossed the 28,000 mark on Tuesday.
What’s worrying is that the latest 1,000 cases have been added to the tally in just 10 days. It was on February 27 that the infections had crossed the 27,000-mark.
While it took 22 days for the cumulative count to reach 27,000 from 26,000 cases, the journey from 25, 000 to 26, 000 had taken 28 days (January 8 to February 5).
12 teachers, 11 students among new cases
Twelve teachers and 11 students are among those found infected on Tuesday. The teachers include six from St Joseph School, Dugri, five from GSG Khalsa College, Sudhar, and one from Government Senior Secondary School, Hans Kalan.
The infected students include five from Sacred Heart School, two from Government Multipurpose, one from DAV School, BRS Nagar, one from Gulzar Group of Institutes and another one from Government Middle School, Gharkhana. Besides, two healthcare workers also tested positive.
With three more deaths, the district’s Covid casualty count has reached 1, 041. The dead include a 55-year-old male from Jagraon, a 60-year- old male from Koom Kalan and a 66-year-old male from Payal.
The district now has 869 active cases.
3, 267 receive vaccine jabs
As many as 3, 267 persons received the Covid-19 jabs on Tuesday. These include
1, 725 senior citizens (aged above 60) who got the first shot of the vaccine and 595 persons aged between 45 and 60, having co-morbidities.
As many as 196 healthcare workers also got the first dose while 351 received the second dose.
Among frontline workers, 161 received the first dose and 239 got the second dose.
As many as 59, 983 persons in the district have so far received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Free Thinkers 