In yet another major spike in infections, Haryana on Friday reported three deaths and 3748 COVID cases, recording a high positivity rate of 8.11 percent. A highest number of 1879 positive cases were reported in the worst affected Gurugram district.
According to the state’s health bulletin, two fatalities were reported in Ambala and one death was reported in Yamunanagar. A total of nine new cases of Omicron were reported in Haryana taking the number to 123. The active Omicron cases in the state now stands at 31 while the total COVID active cases has jumped to 10070, the bulletin stated.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the spreading rate of the Omicron variant is 1.5 times higher and according to experts, Omicron-led third COVID wave may peak by January 25. He said that as the third wave of COVID-19 has started showing its impact and there has been a rapid spike in the number of cases, the State is braced up with adequate arrangements to contain the virus spread. “The everyday testing capacity in the state has been increased and more than 40,000 tests are being conducted on a daily basis,” he added.
A day before, Haryana had reported 2176 fresh infections and a positivity rate of 5.80 percent. On Friday, 1879 cases were reported in Gurugram, 580 in Faridabad, 313 in Panchkula, 191 in Sonepat, 156 in Ambala, 142 in Karnal.
The state reported the cumulative positivity rate of 5.29 percent. The COVID-19 recovery rate stood at 97.3 percent and the fatality rate was reported at 1.28 percent in the state.
Due to an increase in COVID cases, the State Government on Friday decided to reschedule the proposed '35th Surajkund International Craft Mela-2022' which was to be held from February 4 to February 20. The announcement of the new date of the Mela will be decided later after taking into account the circumstances of the Pandemic, said an official spokesman.
2901 CASES, ONDE DEATH IN PUNJAB
Punjab reported one death and 2901 fresh COVID cases on Friday. The state reported a high positivity rate of 11.7 percent, the health bulletin stated. The state’s active cases tally currently stands at 9425. In the last 24 hours, one fatality due to COVID was reported in Hoshiarpur. 135 people also recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours.
Among districts, Patiala reported the highest number of 831 fresh cases followed by 324 cases in Ludhiana, 319 in Mohali, 276 in Amritsar, 266 in Jalandhar, 153 in Pathankot, 149 in Bathinda, 104 in Fatehgarh Sahib, the bulletin stated. Bathinda recorded the highest positivity rate of 35.4 percent followed by Patiala at 33.05 percent, The state’s infection tally increased to 613976 and COVID-19 death toll stood at 16663,