Nagpur: For the first time since the first Covid-19 case was reported in Vidarbha on March 11 last year, Amravati district reported the highest cases in a day among all the 11 districts of Vidarbha. It posted exactly 50 more cases than Nagpur, which has always topped the chart in the region.
With 369 cases on Friday, Amravati also crossed its previous highest single-day tally this year of 359 cases reported on Thursday. It also witnessed three deaths, with all victims being elderly persons.
Wardha, Akola, Buldhana and Yavatmal, which lately had been reporting single-digit increase in cases, too reported a spike, taking the tally past the 1,000-mark in Vidarbha for third day in a row.
The recent spike forced the local administrations to take stringent measures to contain the spread. Public gatherings would be curtailed in the coming days while colleges shall remain shut till month-end.
The health authorities have already sent samples for genome sequencing following apprehensions of a possible new Covid strain in Amravati. Health officials believe the strain is more infectious than the original virus. In a relief for authorities and health officials patients are not turning serious.
Still, a large number of patients are admitted to the district general hospital. From 45 admissions a month ago, the hospital is now treating 245 patients in its DCH.
Amravati civil surgeon Dr Shyamsundar Nikam said people are testing positive in groups. “We have observed that as soon as one person in the family tests positive, the entire family and people coming in close contacts all catch the Covid infection within 24 hours. This has become a cause of concern,” he told TOI .
Dr Nikam said the administration is taking necessary measures like penalizing citizens without mask and restricting gatherings. “Health officials are also surveying those in home isolation. But not many patients are becoming serious. The severity this time seems to be low,” he said.
Though day’s cases in Nagpur came under 400, the district is on high alert while close observation is kept at other places in the region. Officials urged people to go for testing in case they have influenza like symptoms, loss of smell and taste. Rural areas like Kamptee and Saoner are reporting a spike, they said.
Out of the nine Covid fatalities reported on Friday, Nagpur contributed (4), Wardha (1), Amravati (3), Buldhana (1) to take the region’s toll to 7,088.
The region recorded 1,071 cases with Nagpur (319) and Amravati contributing a bulk of them. The region’s caseload has reached 2,82,221. Among the 734 recoveries in a day, Nagpur contributed 225 and Amravati 309. Now, 2,67,246 patients have recovered while 7,156 are under treatment.
Yavatmal: The district did not report any death on Friday, keeping the toll at 440 so far. Out of the 305 reports received on Friday, 57 came positive for Covid-19, taking the caseload to 15,004. Recoveries touched 14,068 with 28 patients getting discharge on Friday. Now, there are 499 active cases in the district.
Amravati: The district reported a spike of over 300 cases for the third successive day. The caseload reached 24,519 as 369 new cases were added on Friday. Three male patients (74, 50 and 65) died on Friday to take the toll to 431 while 309 recoveries took the total to 23,094, leaving 994 active cases.
Wardha: A sharp increase of 113 cases took the Covid count to 10,629 on Friday. A 39-year-old man from Wardha city succumbed to the disease, taking the toll to 318. Recoveries reached 9,845 as 44 patients were discharged on Friday, leaving 466 patients under treatment. Out of the 862 test reports received on Friday, cases came from Hinganghat (78), Wardha (22), Arvi and Karanja (6 each) and Selu (1).
Chandrapur: The district’s caseload mounted to 23,191 with detection of 16 new cases while 15 patients were discharged to take the recovery count to 22,715, leaving 83 active cases on Friday. No death was reported during the day.
Gadchiroli: No death was been reported here since January 17 and the toll remains at 105. The Covid count increased by two, the lowest in the region. At the same time, five recoveries were reported. The district now has just 20 active cases, while total cases are 9,395, including 9,270 recoveries.
Washim: The district did not report a Covid death on Friday, keeping the toll at 156. In fact, fatalities have increased by only four here in the last one month. The district reported nine new cases while seven patients recovered, taking the caseload and recoveries to 7,275 and 7,017, respectively. Now, there are 101 active cases.
Buldhana: One Covid death took the district’s toll to 175 while 79 new cases and 58 recoveries were reported. According to official data, the district now has 14,614 cases, 14,012 recoveries, and 484 active cases.
Bhandara: The district didn’t’ report a Covid death, but saw 11 new cases and eight recoveries. The caseload is 13,345, including 12,916 recoveries and 326 deaths. The district has 103 active cases.
Gondia: The toll remained 183 as the district didn’t witness any Covid death on Friday. It also saw eight recoveries and six new cases. There are 83 patients under treatment. The Covid count has reached 14,275 including 14,015 recoveries.
Akola: The district reported 90 new cases and 27 patients recovered, taking the caseload to 12,154 and recoveries to 11,064, respectively. There was no death on Friday. So far, 431 patients have died. Now, there are 746 active cases.