Ludhiana: The second wave of the pandemic is taking a toll on Ludhiana. The district reported 29 deaths in the week from March 19 to 25—the highest since the second week of October last—as per the state media bulletin.
The weekly fatality count did not cross the 20-mark from the third week of October last to March second week.
The health department data since July last shows that the number of deaths in Ludhiana in seven days was five between July 3 and 9. It increased to 34 from July 24 to 30; 72 between August 14 and 20 and 109 between August 28 and September 3. It dropped to 10 from October 23 to 29 and then increased to 19 between November 20 and 26 last. Two deaths were reported between January 1 and 7 and 17 between February 12 and 18. The figure dropped to seven from February 19 to 25 before rising to 23 between March 12 and 18 and then to the current value.
In the weekly toll tally, Jalandhar tops the state chart with 69 deaths, Hoshiarpur is at number two with 53 deaths and Ludhiana third. At one, Pathankot and Mansa have the lowest number of deaths.
Civil surgeon Dr Sukhjeevan Kakkar said, “Patients are reporting to the health department late, which compounds the problem. People should report immediately after symptoms appear so that they are tested and treated in time.”
The health department officials said people should follow Covid appropriate behaviour, like wearing of masks, avoiding crowded places, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene for their and others safety.