21 new Covid cases surface in Chandigarh

The Covid infected patients, including nine males and 12 females, are residents of Sectors 15, 20, 29, 38 West, 40, 44, 45 and 52, Dadumajra, Daria, Khuda Alisher and Maloya

As many as 21 new cases of Covid-19 surfaced in the city on Friday, taking the number of active cases to 70.

A total of 380 samples were tested over the past 24 hours and 21 turned out positive, causing the daily positivity rate to jump from 3.46% on Thursday to 5.53% on Friday. (HT File Photo)

The infected patients, including nine males and 12 females, are residents of Sectors 15, 20, 29, 38 West, 40, 44, 45 and 52, Dadumajra, Daria, Khuda Alisher and Maloya.

A total of 380 samples were tested over the past 24 hours and 21 turned out positive, causing the daily positivity rate to jump from 3.46% on Thursday to 5.53% on Friday.

Dr Ashutosh N Aggarwal, professor and head of department of pulmonary medicine at PGIMER, said, “Almost all Covid patients have minor symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, body ache and abdominal discomfort, which last for up to seven days. Hence, the disease appears largely indistinguishable from other flu-like syndromes, which are also quite prevalent currently.”

“However, Covid patients should remain isolated at home and monitor themselves for any danger signs, especially those who are elderly or have other illnesses. Fortunately, few patients are requiring hospitalisation because of severe symptoms or respiratory failure,” Dr Aggarwal added.

“Residents should ensure social distancing, personal hygiene, avoiding unnecessary travel or visits to crowded areas, and wearing masks in public places to avoid a major surge in cases,” he said.