No new COVID-19 +ve from hotspots in Himachal

SHIMLA: In fight against spread of novel Coronavirus, Himachal Pradesh heaved a big sigh of relief on Friday. No fresh case of COVID 19 was reported from any of the five hotspots. These hotspots are in the districts of Kangra, Una, Solan, Sirmaur and Chamba. Of total 127 samples taken at three different labs, set-up in Shimla, Solan and Kangra districts, 125 were tested negative. "Reports of rest two are awaited" said the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman. Deputy Commissioner Kangra Rakesh Parapati informed that the second test reports of three positive cases, currently admitted at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical Colllege in Tanda (Kangra), have also come negative. We have decided to discharge these persons on Saturday as their health conditions have shown significant improveents" he said. Meanwhile another three persons, who were admitted at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla three days back, following their tests confirming Coronavirus positive, have also shown improvement. "Today all three persons were tested negative. They were brought to IGMC Shimla from Nalagarh" said Nipun Jindal, Project Director, National Health Mission. All three have links to Tab- lighi Jamaat and had returned from attending congregationat Nizamuddin in New Delhi.

As on Friday there were 21 active cases in the hospitals and all are linked to Tablighi Jamaat. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur asked the central government to provide adequate number of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits along with rapid diagnostic kits to effectively fight COVID-19. Chief Minister demanded 60 ventilators from the centre.