by: Navjeevan Express

COVID-19: With 108 new cases, state tally climbs to 1,851

NE NEWS SERVICE

GANDHINAGAR, APRIL 20

The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat rose to 1,851 after 108 more people tested positive for the disease on Monday, a health department official said.

Among the new patients, 91 were reported from Ahmedabad, taking the total number of such cases in the district to 1,192.

Besides, six new cases were reported from Aravalli district, two each from Kutch, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Rajkot and Surat, and one each from Vadodara and Mehsana, principal secretary (health and family welfare) Jayanti Ravi said.

So far, 106 patients have been discharged after recovery, she said.

Out of 1,676 active cases, 14 patients are in critical condition while 1,662 are stable, she said.

Four more patients succumbed to coronavirus in Gujarat, taking the toll in the state to 67, a health department official said on Monday.

Out of the four deaths, two each were reported from Ahmedabad and Surat, Ravi said.

Three of these patients had underlying health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.

The deceased from Ahmedabad included two men, aged 59 and 54, while the victims from Surat were a 70-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman, the official said.

“Most of these COVID-19 patients had some health risk factors or co-morbid conditions or both. So far, only seven deceased (amounting to 10.44 percent of the total deaths) were without any risk factors or co-morbid conditions,” she said.

There were also patients with multiple comorbidity, and such victims accounted for 50 percent of the deaths, the official said.

Meanwhile, 28 policemen, including a police inspector, from Khadia police station in Ahmedabad city have been quarantined following positive reports.

The health department has permitted Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, HCG Hospital Group and Sterling Hospital in Ahmedabad to give free of cost treatment to coronavirus patients, sources said.

Over 150 Class IV staffers of AMC-run LG Hospital in Maninagar area of Ahmedabad on Monday went on strike demanding safety measures like kits and other essentials for them.

Police, health workers are working on the frontline; citizens’ cooperation very essential: DGP

Director-General of Police Shivanand Jha said that police and health workers are working on the frontline which makes cooperation of the citizens’ very essential. While all those employees on duty, our Corona Warriors are risking their own lives, it is not fair to spread rumours on social media and demoralize them.

State Government has given some relaxations in essential services, but it has come to notice that these vehicles are also involved in human trafficking. To avoid such circumstance, the police is keeping a careful watch on vehicles transporting essential goods. 23 ambulances have been detained in the state for such cases and strict actions have been taken against them.

Curfew has been strictly enforced in areas that are hotspots of the corona in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot. Yet some irresponsible citizens are stepping put unnecessarily and violating the curfew. In addition to drones and CCTVs, the police are keeping intensive watch through patrolling. In Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot, a total of 213 crimes have been registered and 239 people have been arrested for violating curfew.

Stating that the corona warriors are being adequately guarded to enhance immunity Jha said that police personnel are provided with drumstick (Moringa) powder, vitamin C tablet, ayurvedic ukalo and lemon water. Additionally, regular areas of police lines and police vehicles are sanitized and those areas where families of police personnel live are being disinfected.

Jha said that two- and three-wheeler vehicles seized during lockdown will be released from the police station with a maximum fine of Rs. 500 and other vehicles with a fine of Rs. 1,000. 8,691 vehicles seized yesterday were released while more than 59 thousand vehicles have been released so far.

Detailing on the strict implementation of lockdown/curfew and maximum use of technology Jha said that automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) software is used to detect civilians who are frequently seen on the road, strict actions will be taken against such people. Through A.N.P.R 190 cases have been registered and necessary action has been taken. Also, the camera-equipped police van ‘Prahri’ is keeping an eye on the lockdown covering 360-degree area. So far, 152 offenses have been registered through it. Apart from this, 226 crimes have been registered through recording made by videographer deployed in vehicles on patrol,  Jha added.

In association with Nizamuddin Markaz, Jha said that on Saturday one case has been registered for lockdown breach against a person travelling from Mumbai to Gandhinagar and has been quarantined, necessary procedures, including medical checkup, have been taken. So far, 9 offences have been registered against persons who broke the lockdown in Gujarat from Sura Jamaat.

In addition to spreading rumors on social media, the Social Media Monitoring Cell is keeping constant watch and 17 cases have been registered for spreading rumors in social media. So far 357 offenses have been registered and 685 accused have been arrested. Also, 274 crimes were registered by the police yesterday with the help of drones and 94 with the help of CCTV. So far, 6751 crimes have been registered with the help of drones and 1206 crimes have been registered through CCTV.

Cases that have been registered so far include 2,259 cases of the violation of lockdown 1,032 against violating home quarantine and 492 other cases. 2576 vehicles have been seized in the state, added  Jha.