UT wants common strategy for tricity Sec-47 man among 2 cases in Chandigarh
Decision taken as Covid-19 cases cross 500 mark in tricity amid spike in infection reported among people returning from other states
CHANDIGARH: The UT administration will devise a common policy in coordination with governments of the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana to ensure screening of people returning to the tricity, which includes Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.
The decision was taken on Wednesday amid Covid-19 cases crossing the 500 mark in the tricity following a spike in infection reported among people arriving here through various modes of transport with easing of restrictions on interstate movement.
Punjab governor and UT administrator VPS Badnore has directed the UT officials to coordinate with the neighbouring states to formulate the common strategy.
UT adviser Manoj Kumar Parida said: “Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana follow different policies regarding quarantine and testing of passengers. There is a need to have a synergistic policy to contain the spread of infection due to interstate movement of people.”
Significantly, while Mohali has advised home quarantine to domestic fliers, the Panchkula administration has decided to test all people returning from red zones.
“The policy will be devised for passengers coming through all modes of transport. After screening at different entry points to the tricity, including the airport, bus stands and railway stations, a list can be exchanged of such persons travelling within the three cities,” said Parida.
UT health secretary will be heading the committee formed for the purpose, which will also comprise Panchkula and Mohali deputy commissioners besides and medical experts.
The total number of Covid-19 cases in the tricity stand at 511. Chandigarh, at 328 cases, has witnessed a surge in infections being reported from outside containment zones, including Sectors 16, 18, 21 and 41.
A similar trend is being seen in Mohali. For instance, of the three men reported positive on Wednesday, two have returned from other states. The total count stands at 140.
Panchkula reported its first case on March 21 and was on the road to recovery when it witnessed a spike in the past one week with majority of the cases among people having a travel history. On Sunday, all the four cases had travel history. On Tuesday, two of the five cases had travel history. At present, the district’s total stands at 43.
“Better coordination within the three districts will help to track people coming from different hotspots. The spread of virus within the community will be restricted by better communication and coordination within the tricity,” said Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, a community health expert at the PGIMER.
CHANDIGARH: A 45-year-old man from Sector 47 and 34-year-old man from Khudda Jassu are two fresh cases of Covid-19 reported from Chandigarh on Wednesday. The city’s tally has reached 328, out of which 34 cases are active.
The Khudda Jassu man works at a medical store in Sector 16, whose owner’s son tested positive on Tuesday. The person has three family contacts who have been quarantined.
The Sector 47 has three family and four community contacts. Director health services Dr G Dewan said details regarding his source of infection are awaited.
Meanwhile, three residents of Bapu Dham Colony, Sector 26, and one of Khudda Alisher have been discharged, taking the number of recoveries to 289.
DELHI, HYDERABAD RETURNEES AMONG THREE CASES IN MOHALI
Three men, including two returnees from other states, tested positive for coronavirus disease in Mohali on Wednesday, taking the district’s total count to 140. Of these only 25 cases remain active.
The first case is of a 43-yearold man from Mubarakpur in Dera Bassi subdivision. Civil surgeon Dr Manjit Singh said he turned up at the hospital with mild symptoms after coming
from Delhi. Meanwhile, a 29-year-old man, who resides in Palm Enclave, Kharar, was tested at the airport on returning from Hyderabad on Monday. His reports came positive on Wednesday.
The third man, a 26-year-old resident of Dasmesh Nagar in Nayagaon, was tested during routine sampling, he said.
UT HEALTH SECRETARY WILL BE HEADING THE COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL ALSO COMPRISE OF P’KULA AND MOHALI DCS AND MEDICAL EXPERTS
TWO FRESH CASES IN PANCHKULA TAKE DISTRICT’S TOTAL TO 43
A man with travel history to Delhi and a woman who recently delivered a baby were tested positive for coronavirus disease in Panchkula on Wednesday, taking the district’s total count of confirmed cases to 43.
The 30-year-old woman from Sector 16 was tested while she was admitted for her delivery at a private nursing home.
The other case is of a 55-yearold man from Sector 8 who had recently returned from Delhi.