Bathinda records 21% jump in new cases in 15 days, spike fails to break vaccine hesitancy

In the last 15 days (April 1 to April 15), there has been a spike of over 2,740 cases with the case count touching 15,587. It is the biggest ever fortnightly rise in cases in Bathinda since Covid outbreak last year.

Apart from three Covid deaths in a week in this village, over 50 positive cases were reported during sampling done by the health department in two days only. (Photo: PTI/File)

Despite recording a 21 per cent rise in Covid infections in the last 15 days, Bathinda district administration is still struggling to convince people to take vaccine shots. District officials said that people are avoiding getting vaccinated due to fear of getting fever thinking that this will cost they a few days during the ongoing harvesting season.

Bathinda had registered 10,693 Covid-19 cases and 231 deaths in the first nine months of Covid-19 outbreak till December 31, 2020. In first three months of 2021, till March 31, the cases reached 12,847.

But in the last 15 days (April 1 to April 15), there has been a spike of over 2,740 cases with the case count touching 15,587. It is the biggest ever fortnightly rise in cases in Bathinda since Covid outbreak last year.

“Now we are getting around 200 cases everyday. Around 70 to 80 per cent of people are asymptomatic. There is no micro-containment zone in Bathinda so far. Rural areas are reporting more cases,” said Dr Ramandeep Singla, Covid nodal officer, Bathinda.

In the meantime, big gatherings have become a norm in Bathinda since the launch of farmers’ agitation against farm bills. Authorities said that protesters travelling between Bathinda and Delhi are contributing to the spike. Also, district is getting poor response from public for vaccination.

Bathinda had target to vaccinate 9,286 people on a daily basis. However, it could vaccinate only 1,852 per day between April 5 to April 13.

Also Read | With 30% jump, Punjab records over 4000 Covid cases for first time

Singla said, “Ongoing Protest may be one of the reasons behind increasing number of cases. People are not wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. There is also wheat harvesting session. People fear that vaccination shots may cost them day or two in case they get fever. They are more interested in making money during harvest season. They don’t want loss of a working day in this season due to vaccine fever. There is strong rumour that everyone gets fever after vaccination.”

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He added, “We try to explain people that when we give vaccine to few months old baby even then often fever comes. But adults are opposing vaccination. This is the reason that we are not getting kind of response according to efforts we are putting in.”

District Immunisation Officer Dr Minakshi said, “People were more serious about Covid precautions during first wave. But it is not true for the second wave. Now, people are not bothering about masks or other precautions. It is not good trend.”

A doctor playing important role in Covid-19 vaccination drive has also tested positive in Bathinda.

“I had taken both vaccine shots. I am experiencing symptoms and tested positive. But I would have been suffering more if I had not taken the vaccine. People should take vaccination,” said the doctor, who did not wish to be named.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More