LUDHIANA: With the festive season approaching and the threat of a possible third COVID wave, the number of tests per million has fallen to around 1,500 mark. The Health Department says that they will increase testing during the festive season.
According to the state health department report, an average of 1,538 per million tests were conducted daily in the district from September 17 to 23. The number was 2,262 for the week ending August 31. Therefore, there is a decline of 32%.
An average of 2,464 tests per million were conducted daily from 18 to 24 August; 2,880 in the week ending August 20; 2,033 from August 6 to 12; 2,158 from July 27 to August 2. The highest number (3,950) was recorded on June 3.
Ludhiana ranks eighth in the state in terms of parameters. Gurdaspur has the highest number of tests per million (3,058) from September 17 to 23, followed by Pathankot (1,988) and SAS Nagar (1,937). Fazilka has the lowest 579.
On August 31, Ludhiana was second in the state with 2,262 tests per million.
District epidemiologist Dr. Ramesh Bhagat says, “Ludhiana is conducting more tests than other districts. Against the daily target of 9,500, the district is conducting 7,000 to 8,000 tests per day. Testing will be increased during the festive season.”
A health department official says, “Testing, identification of patients and isolation are the main strategies for testing the disease.”
“Despite low testing, some Covid cases are being reported in the district. If more people get their test done then the number will be more. More tests are needed to prevent the disease during the festival season,” says Dr Sunil Katyal, former president of the IMA.
district vs state
In the week ending September 23, Ludhiana had 1,538 tests per million, while the state had 1,235.
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