SHIMLA:
Shimla district has emerged as the new
hotspot of
Covid-19 cases and fatalities in Himachal. Till Saturday 9pm, the district reported 1,701
active cases and 125 deaths, maximum in the state. The administration has ordered closing of shops on Sundays to contain the
pandemic. Congregations can only be held with the permission of sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs).
Persons above the age of 60 years, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 have been advised to stay home, except in cases of essential need and health check-ups.
Eight deaths were reported in Shimla on Saturday. On November 1, the district reported 2,555 cases of Covid-19, of which 482 cases were active while 68
patients died. By November 21, this increased to 5,352
positive cases and 1,701 active cases.
Death toll in the district increased to 125. Within 20 days, Shimla reported 2,797 positive cases, which means that an average of 139 cases have been reported every day during the period. Also, 57 patients died in the district over the last 20 days.
District magistrate, Shimla, Apoorv Devgan said a large number of positive cases are being reported daily in the district and there is urgent need to take steps to mitigate the risk of disease.
As a preventive measure, he has ordered closure of all shops in Shimla, except for shops or stores selling groceries, milk, bread, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and other cooked food items, chemist shops and optical stores. Restaurants, hotels and dhabas shall remain closed on Sundays.
It has also been ordered that a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity and a ceiling of 100 persons will be allowed for social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political and other congregations in closed spaces.