14 more test positive for COVID-19 in Chandigarh; total cases 59

UT admn to use drones, CCTVs to enforce social distancing

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Photo for representation only.

Chandigarh, April 28 : Fourteen people tested positive for coronavirus in Chandigarh on Tuesday taking the total case count in the UT to 59.

Earlier, six community contacts of positive case of Bapu Dham colony tested positive for the COVID-19. By the evening, 15-year-old boy and a man (24), both from Bapu Dham Colony, and a 33-year-old male from Sec 33-B also tested positive.

Six others who tested positive from Bapu Dham Colony include a 16-year-old girl, an 18-year-old girl, a 13-year-old girl, a 36-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy from one household and a 47-year-old woman from another household.

Earlier in the day, five more cases of COVID-19 were reported from Sector 30. Those five cases include two women, who are said to be their late twenties.

Administration to use drones, CCTVs

Chandigarh administration announced it would use CCTV cameras and drones to enforce social distancing.

“Police will also patrol the areas regularly so as to ensure that the curfew orders are strictly followed,” said UT Adviser Manoj Parida in a release here.

He said the infection needed to be contained by focusing energy and resources on pockets like Bapu Dham Colony in Sector 26 and Sector 30-B.

Apart from sealing the areas, efforts will be made to ensure that the locals maintain social distancing, he said.

Parida also appealed to people to report any violation of the curfew orders.

“Now, I appeal to residents to report against neighbours if they are holding parties/social gatherings /get-togethers, in violation of curfew. Just call 112 or send a video clip as evidence.This seems to be the only way to deal with these enemies of society,” Parida tweeted.

His appeal came days after a 30-year-old ward attendant at a government medical college here hosted a party at his home.

UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore held a detailed discussion with three chiefs of medical institutions through a video conference, said an official release.

He emphasised the need for following proper protocol so that their premises do not become a source of infection.

He stressed the need for providing necessary PPE kits, masks and safety gears to all levels of staff as per the laid down entitlement.

He also stressed the need for maintaining proper rotation of the health staff so that the employees get proper rest and relief without getting fatigue.

Badnore said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had enquired about the Chandigarh situation over the telephone on Tuesday morning. With PTI inputs