GURUGRAM: The city’s daily average of Covid-19 cases has seen an uptick in the first two weeks of November, continuing the trend seen in October when infections had begun to rise after four months of a downward slide.
At the peak of the second wave in April and May, Gurugram had recorded 59,921 and 57,012 cases, respectively, and the daily average skyrocketed to 1,997.3 and 1,839. Cases started dipping from June, when the city saw 654 infections at a daily average of 21.8. Over the next three months, a downward trajectory was seen — fresh cases came down to 210 in July (averaging 6.7 daily), 167 in August (daily average 5.4) and further to 150 in September (daily average 5).
However, the trend reversed in October as the festive season got under way. A total of 206 cases were reported that month, at a daily average of 6.6. In the first 15 days of November, Gurugram has added 132 fresh Covid cases, averaging 8.8 daily.
The health department said testing in the city has already been increased to detect cases at the earliest.
“Daily sample collection from Monday has gone up from 3,000 to 3,500. At present, the positivity rate stands at 0.5%, which is manageable. If needed, the number of tests will be increased further,” said Gurugram chief medical officer Virender Yadav. He added that some cases had been reported from families and contact tracing is being carried out.
On Monday, 12 people tested positive. There are 78 active cases at present, of whom eight are in hospitals while the remaining are recovering at home. On Tuesday, the city will set up 30 government session sites for vaccination — 24 for Covishield, five for Covaxin and one for Sputnik V. Health teams will also visit 120 areas to carry out door-to-door inoculations.
Pollution a big risk, warn docs
Doctors TOI spoke to said while Gurugram’s high vaccination coverage was reassuring, people should not drop their guard and warned that the current phase of pollution could aggravate a Covid infection. They also said people with lung disease need to be especially careful. Moreover, those who previously underwent prolonged Covid treatment could get impacted more due to the poor air quality.
Dr Shiba Kalyan Biswal, consultant, pulmonary and sleep medicine, Narayana Hospital, said, “People with compromised lung capacity and lower immunity after Covid need to be more careful. Viral infections are also peaking as the winter has set in. This month might see more such patients till the pollution level is at a bearable level. Wearing a mask is advisable as it prevents one from inhaling pollutants.”
Dr Shivanshu Goyal, consultant respiratory/pulmonology & sleep medicine, Artemis Hospitals said the combination of severe pollution and Covid could increase the risk of mortality, by 10-15%.
“Pollutants have been seen to directly increase susceptibility and mortality related to Covid. We must be cautious in terms of maintaining social distance, staying indoors as far as possible and wearing masks to protect ourselves from pollution and Covid at the same time. Measures like planting trees, avoiding dry dusting and Covid vaccination should be supported to combat the double menace,” he added.
