Infections to settle down in 5 NCR dists by mid-August, says state nodal officer

ROHTAK: The cases of coronavirus in Haryana’s five NCR districts — Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonepat, Rohtak, and Rewari, the contributors of about 69% of infections to the state’s tally — will settle down by mid-August, predicted state’s nodal officer for Covid-19 Dr Dhruva Chaudhary on Wednesday.

He said Haryana’s most-affected district Gurugram has touched its peak and cases there have started to decline. Sonepat and Faridabad will follow suit by next week, he added.

“We are concerned about Rewari, Panipat, Rohtak and Panchkula. Rohtak and Rewari are struggling with Delhi connection and Panchkula is yet to witness a surge in the cases due to its proximity with Punjab. The industrial areas of Panipat will also see a rise in infections as migrant labourers are coming back. Rohtak is yet to touch its peak point as well,” he added.

Dr Chaudhary said the most challenging task before the health department in these districts was to keep a close eye on migrant workers coming from other states. “If we are successful in tracing incoming migrants, the clouds of danger will disperse,” he said.

Dr Chaudhary said the decision to isolate infected patients at their homes has helped them in controlling the contagion.

“More than 230 patients are in home isolation in Rohtak while 30 are in hospital. Hadn’t we made a timely decision on home isolation, the situation would have been worse in Rohtak,” he added.