Gurgaon: 5-fold increase in active cases in 3 weeks

The number of active cases of coronavirus in Gurgaon has increased by more than five times over the last three weeks.

Data from the district health department shows that Gurgaon had 584 active cases on March 15. With 581 cases being recorded on Monday, the number of active cases has now crossed 3,000. The positivity rate, which was around 2.5% on March 15, has now increased to 7.8%.

This is the result of a consistent rise in the number of cases being recorded on a daily basis over the last three weeks. While 872 new cases were recorded between March 15 and 21, it was 1,589 between March 22-28. Between March 29 and April 4, it further increased to 2,657. The number of deaths, however, has remained below five each week.

The district health bulletin indicates an increase in testing — from 26,771 tests between March 15 and 21, it went up to 31,757 tests between March 22 and 28 and further to 35,698 between March 29 and April 4.

Since Saturday, more than 6,000 tests have been conducted every day. “We have already stepped up micro-containment and testing. We will be increasing antigen testing in areas with more positive cases to test contacts of Covid-positive patients so that they too can be isolated immediately if they are found to be infected,” said Dr Virender Yadav, Civil Surgeon, Gurgaon.

According to Dr Yadav, more than 3 lakh people have been tested in Gurgaon over the last three months, implying that an average of 1 lakh people have been tested every month.

Orders were also issued on Monday restricting the number of people permitted at gatherings: In indoor spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be permitted with a ceiling of 200 people. For open spaces, gatherings will be allowed with a ceiling of 500 persons. For funerals, up to 50 people will be allowed.

It further directed “organisers” of functions or gatherings “take prior permission of District Magistrate”, who “will issue permissions after seeking necessary NOCs from the concerned departments, including police”.

Deputy Commissioner Yash Garg on Monday held a meeting with officials from the administration and Gurgaon Police and directed them to ensure that Covid-appropriate behaviour is being followed in the district. He asked officials to check public places and penalise anyone found not wearing masks or following social distancing. He directed Gurgaon Police to issue “at least 1,000 challans per day” and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to issue “at least 100 challans per day” as they step up enforcement.

Garg also directed officials to monitor and check schools to ensure standard operating procedure is being followed.

“Places where there is crowding, especially markets, malls and big hospitals, checking must be done there and challans issued to violators…,” said Garg.