The Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Pathankot districts continue to remain Punjab's worst-hit districts, with the four reporting maximum number of total confirmed cases in the state in the last two weeks.
An analysis of the data available with the State Health and Family Welfare department reveals that the four districts have witnessed the maximum rise in positive cases since June 1 while the number of infections in Pathankot got more than double since.
Of the total 624 cases in the state since June 1, as many as 387 were reported from these four districts.
With an average 14 cases a day since June 1, Amritsar, which is already on top of the chart of total cases, has witnessed 152 fresh cases. Reportedly, the district has topped the state's tally of infections for over one-and-a-half-months since a large number of pilgrims who returned from Nanded Sikh shrine of Maharashtra were tested positive.
Amritsar is followed by the state's industrial hub, Ludhiana, which reported 102 cases during the same period.
In terms of total number of cases, Jalandhar has continued to be on the second spot with 71 infections since June 1.
Of a total 569 active cases in Punjab at present, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Pathankot account for 68 per cent infections at 160, 59, 111 and 57, respectively.
Interestingly, the SBS Nagar and Mohali districts which stood on top of the chart of the positive cases initially, have succeeded in flattening the COVID-19 curve. Since June 1, SBS Nagar has recorded only 10 fresh cases whereas SAS Nagar (Mohali) recorded 29 new cases.
Also Read: Amid fear of community spread, Punjab CM calls for stricter lockdown on weekends, holidays
According to state health department's COVID-19 nodal officer Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, "The violation of social-distancing norms has been the main reason behind the surge in cases. In the past 15 days, we have come across many instances wherein a positive patient infected 10-15 persons. "
"Another reason behind the spike in cases is their early detection. Around 200 cases in the past 10 days are those wherein patients came from abroad or from outside the state. Also, a significant increase in testing in the last 10 days is also showing a surge. Today, we conducted a record 9,000 tests in a single day," the state nodal officer further added.
So far, the health department has conducted 66,646 tests this month.
As many as 14 infected persons havedied in Punjab since June 1 even as the state continues to have one of the best mortality rates in the country. However, it has been said by the health officials that in all these cases the patients were having serious co-morbidities and were aged above 60.
Though the government declines community spread in any part of the state, but it is being apprehended that community transmission has started to erupt. Amid its fear, the Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered stricter lockdown on the weekends and public holidays with movement to be restricted to e-passes holders.
Stringent curbs could help delay the peak for as long as possible, he added, pointing out that with no early vaccine or treatment in sight, strict protocols was the only way to fight the pandemic.
On June 12, Punjab recorded 99 fresh cases of coronavirus, of which 63 cases are from Amritsar only. With this, state's total tally of coronavirus cases now stands at 2,986.
Notably, CM Captain Amarinder Singh a few days back has said in Amritsar, community transmission clusters have started to begin.