Top Headlines of the Day

1. 699 cops to keep a check on firecracker ban violators

As many as 699 cops, including three DSPs and 25 inspectors, will patrol markets as well as residential areas to check violation of the firecracker ban.

A spokesperson for the Chandigarh Police, DSP Charanjit Singh Virk, said staff from all police stations would patrol the city areas to ensure that people followed the UT order against the bursting of crackers. “People can also report the violation to the police on 112,” said the DSP.

Any violation of the ban will invite penal action under Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC.

2. Weekly Covid death count in city jumps over three times

The number of Covid deaths reported in a week has increased by over three times in the city. While 16 persons died of Covid from November 7 to 13, only five fatalities were reported during the week ending November 6.

Dr. Rajesh Kumar, former head of the Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGI, said, “The trend of increased fatalities indicates that the virus is spreading in the community. There has been an increase in the hospitalization of Covid patients as well. The cases are expected to rise more in the next two weeks. The next two months will be crucial for us to avoid the second peak.” The fatality rate of Chandigarh is currently 1.5 percent.

Active cases rise by 69%

After witnessing a decline in the number of active cases, the city has again started recording upsurge of inactive infections lately. From 593 on November 2, the number of active cases has increased to 1,009, which is an increase of 69 percent.

3. Gold loses sheen this Dhanteras, sales dip

Lockdown has had its impact on gold sales this Dhanteras. City jewelers have witnessed nearly 10-20 percent drop in the sales this year in comparison to last year.

Dhanteras is considered the most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar for buying items ranging from gold and silver to utensils.

Last year, around Rs 5 crore worth of gold and silver was sold on Dhanteras while this year the sales were expected to be nearly Rs 4.5 crore, said a member of the association.

4. 124 new cases logged in Mohali

As many as 124 new cases of Covid-19 surfaced in the district during the past 24 hours, taking the total tally to 13,435. No fatality was reported from the district till Friday evening. Among the new cases, 89 came from Mohali (urban), nine each from Dera Bassi and Gharuan, seven from Dhakoli, four from Kharar, two each from Lalru and Kurali and one each from Banur and Boothgarh.

Meanwhile, 27 more patients were cured of the disease. There are 996 active cases in the district.

5. 1,500 vacancies to be filled in Revenue Department

The Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) has given its approval to fill more than 1,500 vacant posts in the Revenue Department. Raman Bahl, Chairman, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB), said, “The board has also given approval to start the recruitment process for the 443 posts of junior draftsman in various departments and 1,090 posts of patwari in the Revenue Department.”

“An advertisement in this regard will be issued soon. The board has also invited applications for the recruitment of Assistant Superintendent of Jails. Candidates can apply online from November 16 to December 7. The last date to deposit fee is December 10,” he added.

“For the convenience of candidates, the syllabus of the examination for the post of Assistant Superintendent of Jail has been uploaded on the board’s website,” he added.

6. Covid cases continue to surge for the second consecutive week in Chandigarh

Incidence of coronavirus infection continues to rise in Chandigarh for the second consecutive week with the Union Territory reporting 749 more cases last week (November 6 to 12) as compared to the preceding week.

As many as 502 infections were reported between October 30 and November 5.

UT health officials attributed the increase to people not adhering to safety norms by intermingling in crowds, majorly in market areas, and extensive movement due to festivals

The surge in cases is also coupled with an increase in the number of fatalities, as per official records. Last week, 15 deaths were reported as compared to four a week before. The fatality rate has, however, been around 1.5%-1.6% in the last one month.

7. 257 test positive in Tricity, two dead in Chandigarh

The tricity reported 257 Covid-19 cases on Friday, with Chandigarh also confirming two deaths, while Mohali and Panchkula had none.

Mohali led with 124 cases, followed by Chandigarh with 93 and Panchkula with 40.

With 93 new cases and two casualties, Chandigarh’s case tally rose to 15,636 and death toll to 246. The number of active cases, at 1,008, remained above 1,000 for the second consecutive day.