Pune: The number of coronavirus cases crossed 20,000 mark as Pune, an epicentre for the contagion reported 819 new cases on Saturday. The numbers don’t seem to be good for the Punekars as 18 people succumbed to COVID-19 in last 24 hours, taking the death tally to 703. As many as 12,689 patients have recovered from the coronavirus.

In the initial stage of the spread of the virus, the number of cases were reported from the slum pockets of the city which were later declared as containment zones. The months of March, April and May reported huge cases from containment zones but the picture now seems to be turned as the cases are rising outside the containment zones. Areas such as Wakad, Baner, Bavdhan, Hinjewadi which is known as IT hub of the city did not saw many cases earlier but COVID-19 cases are scaling up in these ‘Green Zones’.

The spread of COVID-19 has started increasing in Hinjewadi, Maan, Marunji, Nere and Bavdhan areas of IT sector. Around six patients were found in this area recently, informed Medical Officer Balaji Lakade and Group Development Officer Sandeep Jathar.

Out of these six patients, three have no symptoms but their reports are positive. The six cases include two women and four men.

People those working in IT sector living in a PG in Hinjewadi has contracted with COVID-19 disease. A person living in another society in Hinjewadi has also found positive for the disease but showed no symptoms. Also, a pregnant woman undertook the test before delivery; her report came positive.

Also, one woman has infected with COVID-19 in Maan village. Apart from this, a one-person found positive in Marunji and Bavdhan each. Families of the patients are home quarantined and administration has already sealed area.

Meanwhile, a total of eight patients were registered in Mulshi taluka on Saturday, Jathar said. As a result, the number of patients in Mulshi has now gone up to around 100. Some patients were also found in Nere village and the exact number of patients could not be ascertained as their information and reports were not received till late last night.