Gujarat brings in restrictions to check spread of Covid-19

The Gujarat authorities has imposed a 57-hour curfew in Ahmedabad within the face of surging coronavirus illness (Covid-19) circumstances which are being described because the third wave of infections, whilst chief minister Vijay Rupani mentioned the curfew was not a precursor to an indefinite lockdown.

The determination was taken late on Thursday after the state recorded 1,340 circumstances, the very best surge in infections in 47 days. In the 24 hours to Friday, Gujarat recorded 1,420 Covid-19 circumstances, taking the state tally to 194,402. It additionally recorded seven new fatalities as a result of virus, with the dying toll now at 3,837, based on the well being bulletin launched by the state authorities on Friday.

Ahmedabad accounted for the very best bounce in Covid-19 circumstances, with 246 new infections, adopted by Surat (239), Vadodara (149), Rajkot (137) and Gandhinagar (80). Till Thursday morning, there have been 2,845 energetic circumstances in Ahmedabad.

In addition to the curfew, the state authorities has additionally postpone its determination to reopen faculties and schools from November 23. The Gujarat Public Services Commission (GPSC) has additionally postponed exams to recruit medical lecturers, which have been to start on November 22, official statements mentioned.

The authorities on Friday additionally introduced an evening curfew between 9pm and 6am in Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara from Saturday. An evening curfew has been already introduced in Ahmedabad from 9 pm subsequent Monday. In addition, a 57-hour weekend curfew would start from 9 pm within the metropolis on Friday evening and finish at 6 am on November 23.

Rupani mentioned the sudden spike within the circumstances have been due to Diwali and associated actions in addition to the onset of winter. Diwali festivities are a week-long affair in Gujarat, and stretch until Labh Pancham (this yr, it ended on Thursday). It noticed hundreds of individuals thronging markets, malls and streets. In reality, all appeals by authorities to keep away from bursting firecrackers fell on deaf ears.

“The blame [for surge in cases] surely lies with the carelessness of the people at large; there was no sense of responsibility at all. But this is also because a tough and clear message has not gone from the Gujarat government,” mentioned Dr Mona Desai, president of the Ahmedabad department of the Indian Medical Association.

Additional chief secretary Rajiv Gupta, who can also be the officer on particular responsibility for Ahmedabad Covid-19 administration, instructed reporters that round 1,500 new beds had been added in hospitals in view of the rising circumstances. Health division officers mentioned the most cancers and kidney wings on the state-run Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad have been reopened to deal with coronavirus circumstances.

Dr Bharat Gadhvi, president of the Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, mentioned 93% of two,300 beds in non-public hospitals are occupied.

Civil Hospital’s medical superintendent Dr JV Modi mentioned a number of of the brand new sufferers have include extreme viral load requiring oxygen help. However, not like May, the hospital is best ready with extra ventilator beds and higher services.