No new COVID-19 case in Himachal in 11 days

Shimla, May 4

Himachal Pradesh has not reported any fresh COVID-19 case in the last 11 days, a senior state government official said on Monday.

So far, a total of 41 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state and there was only one active case as of now, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) RD Dhiman said.

“Of the 247 samples sent for testing today, 136 tested negative for the virus whereas the report of the rest is awaited,” Dhiman added.

These tests are being conducted at five laboratories in the state — Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla; Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda; Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur; Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College (SLBSGMC), Mandi; and Central Research Institute (CRI), Solan.

The lone active case in the state is from Sirmaur district and was being treated at Katha’s ESIC in Baddi.

Eleven of the 12 districts of the state were free from COVID-19 now. These include Kangra, Una, Chamba, Hamirpur, Solan, Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu.

A total of 34 patients, including 16 from Una district, six from Chamba, five from Solan, four from Kangra, two from Hamirpur and one from Sirmaur district, have recovered so far.

Four patients were taken to a private hospital outside Himachal Pradesh.

Two people have died of COVID-19 in the state. The fatalities include a 70-year-old Delhi resident, who had stayed at a guest house of a factory in Baddi and died at the PGIMER, Chandigarh, on April 2. PTI