Punjab reports 6,641 Covid-19 cases, 26 deaths in last 24 hours
Punjab reported 6,641 new Covid-19 cases and 26 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active coronavirus cases stand at 43,977 while the positivity rate is 21.51 per cent.
SAS Nagar reported 1,196 cases, followed by Ludhiana (914), Jalandhar (613) and Amritsar (612).
Also read | Health Ministry issues revised clinical guidance for Covid patients; read details
Meanwhile, as coronavirus cases surge in poll-bound Punjab, increasing number of patients on oxygen, ICU (Level 3) and ventilator support has raised concerns.
The patients on Level 3 (very critical, ICU) support were eight as on January 1 which increased to 85 on January 10 and further to 176 on January 17.
According to the medical bulletin of the Punjab Government, on January 17, a total of 20 coronavirus patients died, while 13 died on January 16. However, the number of deaths stood at 22 and 21 on January 15 and 14, respectively. On January 18, 26 deaths were reported.
Meanwhile, amid rising cases of coronavirus in Punjab, the Director of School Education has announced that all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, will continue to remain closed till January 25.
As per the previous order, the schools and colleges in Punjab were directed to remain shut till January 15. Although Punjab Government had issued new guidelines there was no mention regarding the reopening of schools. Therefore, several students were facing hardships as there was no clarification on the reopening of schools.
