As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, Haryana is all set to impose stricter curbs in National Capital Region (NCR) districts. Sparking off lockdown speculations, state Health Minister Anil Vij declared that the four districts—Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonepat and Jhajjar—who share the borders with Delhi, will be stringently contained in the near future. “Though we have ample medical resources, the situation in these districts is worrisome and we will go for more stringent curbs to bring down the COVID-19 transmission,” he said.
The state has so far registered over 22,000 cases, of which more than 15,000 cases were reported from these districts. They also account for 75 per cent of total COVID-19 deaths in the state. Haryana today recorded 699 fresh cases, of which 160 were reported from Gurgaon, 115 from Faridabad, 55 from Sonepat and 26 from Jhajjar. Rewari, with 96 cases, has been reporting a high infection rate for the past five days.
Meanwhile, Punjab, which registered 340 new cases and nine deaths today, has clarified that anybody entering the state and leaving within 72 hours does not need to quarantine. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that such travellers would have to submit an undertaking at the border check-post. The concession is being provided to facilitate business travellers and students. The state had yesterday barred public gatherings owing to rising numbers of positive COVID-19 positive cases, majority of which are through contact with infected persons. While Ludhiana and Jalandhar have been identified as highest-risk districts, reported 80 cases each, Patiala had 51.
With the proportion of COVID-19 positive patients infected through contact being way more than new infections, patient isolation and containment are under the scanner.
Among the new cases is Punjab Rural Development Minister Tript Rajinder Bajwa. He had isolated himself after the director of rural development department had tested positive. The duo had attended a meeting together.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 scare continued in GGS Medical College in Faridkot, as six doctors tested positive today. Nine doctors have tested positive in the institute in past six days, with seven from orthopaedic department.
