Pune: New Covid cases lowest in 5 weeks but six ward office areas witness a rise

The PMC’s weekly report said that while 1,962 new patients were found infected from June 5 to 11 at a positivity rate of 4.75 per cent, 1,838 new infections were reported from June 12 to 18 at a weekly positivity rate of 4.96 per cent.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Jun 20, 2021 10:47 AM IST

A total of 2,503 patients have recovered and 60 succumbed to the viral infection in the last week. (Express file photo by Arul Horizon)

While the number of Covid-19 cases in the city saw a dip last week as compared to the week before that, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has registered an increase in the number of new patients in six of its 15 ward office areas during the period.

Besides, the positivity rate has also seen a slight increase. The PMC’s weekly report said that while 1,962 new patients were found infected from June 5 to 11 at a positivity rate of 4.75 per cent, 1,838 new infections were reported from June 12 to 18 at a weekly positivity rate of 4.96 per cent.

Still, the number of new patients is lowest the city has seen in the last five weeks even as the number of tests, too, has seen a decline – from 41,191 tests between June 5 and 11 to 32,276 tests in the June 12-18 period.

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A ward office-wise analysis showed that the Dhankawadi-Sahakarnagar area registered 226 new cases in the last week compared to 214 from June 5 to 11. Similarly, the Aundh-Baner ward office area had 200 new patients from June 12 to 18 as against 175 a week ago.

In Yerawada-Kalas-Dhanori ward office, 177 new patients were identified in the last week compared to 141 the previous week. The Shivajinagar-Ghole road ward office, Kasba-Vishrambaugwada ward office and Bhavani Peth ward office saw 72, 63 and 30 new patients respectively from June 12 to 18 while they had 62, 53 and 24 new patients in the previous week.

Also Read | Weekend lockdown in Pune is here to stay for a while, says Ajit Pawar

Of the 15 ward offices, four have registered 100-200 and above new patients from June 12 to 18 while the remaining seven had less than 100 new patients in the same period.

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The number of micro-containment zones in the city has reduced from 24 to 13 in a week. These include six housing societies, four buildings and three other localities. The doubling rate has also increased from 1,341 to 1,454 in a week.

Meanwhile, a total of 2,503 patients have recovered and 60 succumbed to the viral infection in the last week.

The oxygen bed occupancy rate in hospitals and health facilities has decreased drastically to 12.38 percent in the last week from 23.33 per cent the week before.

After a weekly review meeting on Saturday, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said, “It has been noticed that the citizens are crowding public places and shops. So, weekend lockdown has been re-imposed with only essential category stores allowed to serve on Saturday and Sunday. The police have been asked to strictly implement the lockdown.”

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The PMC had relaxed the restrictions in the city from June 14, according to the recommendations of the state government on the basis of weekly positivity rate and occupancy of oxygen beds. Now, with weekend lockdown re-imposed, malls, restaurants, bars, food courts, salons, beauty parlours and wellness centers would be kept closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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