Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Amritsar
The Health Department has said three more suspected cases of Covid were reported at Government Medical College here on Sunday. With this, the number of suspected Covid patients in the Amritsar health facility has reached seven.
The medical college has so far not received reports of other four suspected patients from the National Institute of Virology, Pune. Of the four, two had earlier tested positive in reports by AIIMS, New Delhi. But the authorities here sent the samples to the Pune institute for reconfirmation.Civil Surgeon Dr Prabhdeep Kaur Johal said, “The condition of all seven patients was stable. The samples of the three new patients screened at the airport were sent to Pune on Sunday.”
In an advisory to journalists, the district administration has asked media houses not to mention the name, city, age and nationality of the suspected patients.
Meanwhile, the footfall at the Golden Temple remained unaffected.
Precautionary measures are in place in and outside the shrine, which witnesses over 1 lakh visitors daily.
Those visiting the religious place make it a point to take a holy dip in the sarovar, raising questions whether it should be allowed under such circumstances. Experts believe that the holy dip should be avoided. Dr Mugdha Tapdiya, senior consultant with Fortis, Visant Kunjj, New Delhi, said taking into account the religious sentiments of devotees, the SGPC needs to be doubly sure that chlorination is done regularly.
“My advice is that the dip in the sarovar should be avoided. If the cleaning and circulation of water are regular, chances of infection are less. Visitors coming from far-off places should voluntarily avoid going into the sarovar. If any infected person takes a dip, it could be fatal for others,” she said.
SGPC chief secretary Dr Roop Singh said special care was being taken to chlorinate the water. “Towels kept beside washbasins have been removed to avoid the spread of any infection. Hygiene is being maintained in the langar hall,” he said.
A special isolated ward with a team of doctors has been set up at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee Hospital.
Face masks are being distributed among people.
Two flu corners are being run by the Health Department, one near the main entrance plaza of the shrine and the other opposite the Jodha Ghar, between 8 am and 8 pm.
