Punjab has reported more than 900 fresh coronavirus cases within a span of 24 hours---the state’s highest single-day spike yet.
With the freshly reported cases, the state’s COVID tally crosses the mark of 17,000, according to the state health ministry's COVID bulletin.
The state reported 944 new coronavirus cases and 19 new deaths, taking the state tally to stand at 17,063 with 405 deaths.
However, the spike has occurred due to an increase in coronavirus cases in most districts. All 22 districts of Punjab reported COVID-19 cases on Saturday, and, except for three districts---Mukstar, Faridkot and SBS Nagar---all reported infections in double digits.
Ludhiana continued to lead Punjab’s districts in COVID-19 cases with 166 new infections. Jalandhar followed closely with 162.
Gurdaspur also recorded a high number of infections, reporting 89 new cases---the third-highest number of cases on Saturday.
Bathinda (76), Patiala (66), Sangrur (37), Amritsar (49), SAS Nagar (34), Hoshiarpur (14), Ferozepur (48), Pathankot (19), Tarn Taran (14), Fatehgarh Sahib (21), Moga (16), Fazilka (37), Kapurthala (35), Ropar (14), Barnala (26), Mansa (14), SBS Nagar (3), Faridkot (2) and Muktsar (4) all reported new cases.
Eight districts reported deaths. Ludhiana continued to lead the death count, reporting 10 new deaths. Amritsar (2), Kapurthala (1), SAS Nagar (1), Muktsar (1), Jalandhar (1), Sangrur (1) and Baranala (1) also reported COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Besides, 145 patients are on oxygen support and 13 are on the ventilator.
A 49-year-old from Urban Estate admitted to Patel Hospital, Jalandhar; a 48-year-old admitted to CMCH; a 60-year-old from Upkar Nagar at Civil Hospital; a 68-year-old from Kitchlu Nagar at DMCH, 89-year-old from Brindaban Road at DMCH; a 65-year-old from Basant Nagar at Rajindra Hospital; a 50-year-old from New Azad Nagar at Rajindra Hospital; a 40-year-old from Mundian Kalan; and 67-year-old from Hargobind Nagar all died in Ludhiana.
Ludhiana’s death toll now stands just one short of 100.
Two deaths in Amritsar took the district death toll to 80. A 40-year-old man from Daburji Police Lines and a 74-year-old woman from Friends Colony died here.
Punjab’s been steadily reporting a higher number of cases---as well as deaths---since July 1, but this is the biggest jump yet in cases. Punjab reported 10,551 new cases in July, 3,305 cases in June, and 1,788 cases in May.
Likewise, Punjab's fatalities have almost tripled since the end of June, when the state's death toll stood at 144.
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Punjab's district-wise breakup of cases is as follows: Ludhiana (3377), Jalandhar (2411), Amritsar (1911), Patiala (1785), Sangrur (1093), SAS Nagar (875), Gurdaspur (594), Hoshiarpur (546), Ferozepur (458), Bathinda (425), Pathankot (420), Tarn Taran (373), Fatehgarh Sahib (369), Moga (343), SBS Nagar (316), Fazilka (303), Faridkot (294), Kapurthala (291), Ropar (265), Muktsar (239), Barnala (249) and Mansa (126).
Punjab's death toll stands thus: Ludhiana (99), Jalandhar (54), Amritsar (80), Patiala (28), Sangrur (28), SAS Nagar (15), Hoshiarpur (15), Gurdaspur (18), Ferozepur (6), Pathankot (12), Tarn Taran (10), Bathinda (5), Fatehgarh Sahib (2), Moga (5), SBS Nagar (3), Fazilka (1), Kapurthala (12), Ropar (4), Muktsar (2), and Barnala (6).
Five districts with over 1,000 cases---Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Sangrur---account for 61 per cent of Punjab’s cases.
Punjab now has 5,583 active cases.