Manipur reports 94 new Covid cases

Our Correspondent
Imphal, April 20 (EMN): Manipur on Tuesday reports 94 new Covid-19 positive cases, the highest single day spike this year, bringing the state’s total infection tally to 29,869 besides increasing the total number of active cases to 385, according to official sources.

“In the last 24 hours, one 29 year-old male from Thoubal district expired at Thoubal district hospital,” a press release in Imphal said adding “The cumulative number of deaths is 378.”

In the past 24 hours, 4 persons were discharged from home isolation facilities, the press release said. So far, 29,106 have recovered and the recovery rate stands at 97.44%.

As of Tuesday, 6,55,339 people were screened at various entry points of the state wherein 5,96,703 samples were tested for Covid-19, it said.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,10,614 persons including healthcare workers and frontline workers in Manipur got the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine so far. On the other hand, a total of 58,077 healthcare workers and frontline workers received a second dose of vaccines.

In view of the exponential increase in the number of Covid-19 infections in the country, Manipur authority on Tuesday decided that the central government teaching institutions in the state be immediately suspended.

The special secretary (Home), in an order issued on Tuesday said, “It is also further ordered that examinations which have already been scheduled may be held by strictly implementing Covid appropriate behaviour with all arrangements of physical distancing, arrangements of sanitisation, thermal screening of teachers and students and other engaged in the conduct of the examination.”

Meanwhile, the Manipur’s Art and Culture department notified that INA Martyrs Memorial Complex at Moirang, Manipur State Museum, Manipur State Archives, State Central Library, Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre, Maharaj Chandrakirti Auditorium, Manipur State Art Gallery, Palace Auditorium and Kangla-all in Imphal would remain closed to the public from April 20 till further notice in view of the 2nd wave of Covid-19 pandemic and increasing positive cases in the state during the last 2 weeks.

Those who wish to enter Kangla for religious and ritual purposes should seek permission from the authorities concerned at least 7 days in advance.

The Manipur Legislative Assembly has also notified that all employees (both regular and contract) should wear face mask compulsorily within the precinct of the new assembly, museum and archives (Old Assembly) and guest house at Majorkhul in order to curb further spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

It may be mentioned that considering the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and impending threat to the public, the state authority has announced to postpone the matriculation examination 2021 and higher secondary examination 2021. The higher secondary and matriculation examinations were scheduled from May 5 and 6 respectively.