RANCHI: The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic turned grim in
Jharkhand, particularly in Ranchi, with the state recording 17 deaths (the second highest one-day toll since the outbreak and the highest this year) and 1,925 fresh infections on Friday. The number of active
cases in the state crossed the 10,000-mark again for the first time since October 6. About 7.5% of the 25,718 samples tested through the day returned a positive result.
With eight deaths in Ranchi alone, the city recorded its highest single-day death toll and accounted for 754
new infections, about 100 lesser than Thursday. The number of active cases in the city jumped to 5,217, the first time it has been above the 5,000-mark since the outbreak started, with most hospitals running out of dedicated
Covid beds.
Apart from Ranchi, while East Singhbhum recorded three deaths, Dhanbad two and Sahebganj, Palamu, Gumla and Chatra reported one each. Saturday’s death toll is second highest till date in Jharkhand while Ranchi reported its highest casualty figures. Jharkhand had recorded 19 deaths on September 8 and September 11 during the peak of the first wave.
A total of seven doctors, including a physiotherapist, tested positive for covid-19 at Ranchi district hospital and the OPD operations have been closed until further orders. Sources said some of these doctors have received both doses of the vaccine.
Among other districts, East Singhbhum recorded 256 fresh infections, Dhanbad got 94, Dumka 70, Koderma 65, Palamu 64, and Bokaro and Khunti 61 each. All 24 districts recorded new cases for the fourth straight day on Friday. With 553 recoveries through the day, the state’s cumulative caseload stood at 1,34,715, of which 1,22,936 have recovered, 10,604 are active cases and 1,175 have died.
According to state health department records, 14,089 people were administered their first dose of vaccine on Saturday and 3,334 got the second dose. A total of 2,86,561 persons have been vaccinated with the second dose of while a total of 18,74,812 beneficiaries have received their first shot.