83 community transmission cases in Amritsar in 5 days

AMRITSAR: The district administration and the health department are on toes as the Covid-19 spread in the community is increasing rapidly in Amritsar, with 83 cases being reported in five days where the patient had no travel history or been in proximity to an infected person from outside the state.

After relaxations in the lockdown were announced on May 19, it took 17 days (till June 5) for the district to record 100 community transmission cases and next 10 days (till June 15) to reach 200mark of community spread cases. However, the community transmission cases showed a sudden spike in the last five days as 83 more cases got added to the list.

To date, the district, which has been put in the ‘red-zone’ category, has recorded 752 Covid-19 cases, of which 499 patients have recovered and 31 had succumbed to the disease.

Since May 19, over 445 Covid-19 cases were reported in the district of which 283, approximately 63%, are community transmission cases. Sixty-six such cases surfaced on Thursday, Friday and Saturday alone.

“These community transmission patients were tested in flu corners after they showed symptoms of the disease. Their source of infection could not be traced. Testing is being increased rapidly as people are venturing out in the without precautions,” said civil surgeon Dr Jugal Kishore.

PHARMACIST TESTS +VE, ESI HOSPITAL CLOSED

A day after a pharmacist of ESI Hospital, Amritsar, tested positive for Covid-19 the facility was temporarily closed. Swab samples of the staff were taken for testing.