HP’s deadliest day yet with 67 fatalities
State records 3,044 fresh infections; earlier highest deaths in a day had been clocked on May 12
DHARAMSHALA: Friday turned out to be the deadliest day for Himachal Pradesh as 67 patients succumbed to the coronavirus infection, the highest single-day deaths since the outbreak in March 2020, catapulting the hill state’s death toll to 2,185.
With 32 deaths, Kangra, the most populous district, clocked the highest fatalities. The virus claimed 10 lives in Hamirpur, six in Una, seven in Mandi, four each in Shimla and Solan, three in Kullu and one in Chamba.
The small state had earlier reported the highest deaths in day on May 12 when 66 people had succumbed to the infection.
The state also recorded 3,044 fresh infections, taking the state’s case count to 1,53,717. Of the new cases, 724 were reported in Kangra, 343 in Bilaspur, 313 in Solan, 299 each in Mandi and Sirmaur, 265 in Una, 264 in Hamirpur, 249 in Chamba, 180 in Shimla, 62 in Kullu, 27 in Kinnaur and 19 in Lahaul-Spiti.
Recoveries reached 1,11878 after 3,362 people recuperated while there are 39,623 active cases in state.
Kangra is the worst hit district with 32,730 cases followed by Mandi (21,213) and Shimla (19,959). The most populous district accounts for 21% of the total disease burden of the state and also has highest 12,258 active cases. So far, Solan has logged 18,473 cases, Sirmaur 11,886, Hamirpur 10,794, Una 10,016, Bilaspur 9,569, Chamba 7,382, Kullu 7,123, Lahaul-Spiti 2,298 and Kinnaur 2,274.
Ensure last rites of Covid victims are conducted properly: CM to DCs
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday directed all deputy commissioners to ensure that the last rites of Covid patients are
performed strictly as per protocols issued by the Union ministry of health and family welfare so that the victims’ family members are not inconvenienced.
“The deputy commissioners must ensure that the bereaved family members get full the support and co-operation of the district administration while performing the last rites,” the CM said, adding that adequate PPE kits, dead body bags, disinfectants, sanitisers, and disposable bags will be provided to the hospitals and primary health centres so the rites can be performed as per protocol.
Kangra schools told to hold online classes for only two hours a day
Schools in Kangra district have been asked to conduct online classes for not more than two hours a day and five days a week.
Kangra deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati said on Friday that the decision was taken after parents of students had complained that some schools were conducting online classes for long durations, and it was taking a toll on the health of the children.