Punjab on Friday registered a major spike of 217 CIVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases reported in the last 10 days to 1,113. The state recorded nine deaths on Friday taking total casualties to 92 in the last 10 days as compared to 55 in the previous period.
The highest number of 79 cases was reported from Jalandhar where 57 are new infections and 22 are contacts of positive patients. Amritsar reported 35 cases where 25 are new infections. It may be noted that the state has been registering constant rise in positive cases--more than 50 percent being new infections--for the last ten days even though it claims to be having one of the best COVID management models in the country.
When contacted additional chief secretary, health and family welfare, Anurag Agarwal blamed outside infections and a higher testing rate as the key reasons. “We have been fairing best as compared to the neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajashtan. We are testing an average of 9,000 samples a day and the recovery rate is the highest in the country. We have the strongest contact tracing rate of more than 99 per cent. It's the migration of natives from the other states and countries which has led to the spike. Even the central government has recognised the state's performance and has urged other states to follow us,” Agarwal told THE WEEK.
It may be noted out of 1,113 cases reported in the last 10 days, only 120 cases have been recorded as the returnees from other states and countries.
Meanwhile, in what has led to a huge uproar, students of Government Dental College in Patiala have been asked to get themselves tested for COVID-19 before appearing for final examinations. The BDS exams for students in the state are scheduled from July 7 and the students had been demanding postponement. The college, however, issued a notice on Friday asking the students of 1st, 2nd and 4th year to undergo COVID-19 tests at local government hospital and submit the test reports through the training department of the college.
Many dental colleges across the state hell-bound on holding the exams are allegedly forcing the students to sign affidavits claiming that they were taking the examinations at their will and the college will not be responsible for any virus contraction.
