Ahmedabad COVID-19 cases rise by 973 to 8,144; death toll 493
Ahmedabad, May 16 () The COVID-19 case count inAhmedabad rose to 8,144 on Saturday after detection of 973 newpatients in the district, including 709 "super spreaders" whowere found coronavirus positive in a screening conducted overthe last one week, a Health official said.
The death toll due to COVID-19 mounted to 493 with 14more patients succumbing to the viral infection, the officialsaid.
A total of 163 patients were discharged from hospitalsin Ahmedabad, taking the total number of the recovered casesto 2,545.
"The tally of 709 super-spreaders was on Saturdayadded to the total number of new coronavirus cases in Ahmedabddistrict, " said Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary (Health).
At least 700 "super spreaders" were found coronaviruspositive during a massive screening of vegetable sellers andshopkeepers conducted in a week after officials had orderedclosure of shops, except those selling milk and medicines,between May 7 and 14.
"Super-spreaders" are potential carriers of the viralinfection who could infect a large number of people coming intheir contact.
They could be vegetable vendors, grocery and milk shopowners, petrol pump attendants or garbage collectors, who bythe nature of their job carry the risk of contracting andspreading the viral infection.
Shops selling essential items reopened from May 15 oncertain conditions in Ahmedabad which had been under acomplete lockdown since May 7.
Grocery shops and vegetable/fruit vendors can operatetheir business between 8 am and 3 pm.
Besides, the Ahmedabad civic body also allowed shopsto remain open for a few hours in ten containment zones in thecity. KA PDNSK NSK