Several senior Punjab officials found COVID-19 positive; minister takes corona test

Two IAS and 13 PCS officers as well as two or government officials were confirmed positive for coronavirus in Punjab, officials said on Friday, as state battles surge in infections.

Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa underwent a COVID-19 test after an IAS officer, who has contracted disease, was present in a meeting attended by him, officials said.

“Two IAS officers and 13 Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers have tested positive for coronavirus so far,” an official of Punjab Health Department said on Friday.

“ contact tracing in se cases is underway,” ar official said.

Besides, a Senior Superintendent of Police and a Civil Surgeon have tested positive for virus, officials said.

An official said samples of 34 PCS officers were collected and of which 13 tested positive and 16 negative. However, reports in five cases are still pending, he ded.

An IAS officer tested positive for virus after his wife confirmed positive for infection, officials said.

He on Thursday h attended a meeting where Bajwa was also present.

“I will undergo a test for coronavirus as my director has tested positive,” he said on Friday. Later during day, samples of minister were collected for testing, officials said.

Several PCS officers h attended a meeting of Punjab Civil Services Officers Association in Chandigarh on July 3 to protest against arrest of a fellow official.

After several PCS officers and or senior officials got infected with contagion, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday h stressed need to raise guard to tackle pandemic even furr.

He h also asked Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to issue standard operating procedures for government officers' meetings or visits to or offices, making it clear that spre of infection among critical manpower due to casual attitude was t acceptable.

Meanwhile, entry of public to Punjab Civil Secretariat one and two here was restricted on Friday in wake of growing number of coronavirus cases.

Punjab has been witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases. state has so far recorded 7,140 cases and 183 deaths. 

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