NE NEWS SERVICE
PUDUCHERRY, AUG 28
Puducherry recorded a single day high of 604 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, pushing the tally to breach13,000 mark.
The new cases were identified after examination of 1,689 samples during the last 24 hours ending 10 am today, Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao told in a virtual press conference.
The overall infection count in the union territory rose to 13,024, he added. The Health Minister said nine more people including two women succumbed to the infection raising the toll to 199.
Of the 13,024 coronavirus cases in the union territory, 4,745 were active while 8,080 patients had recovered and had been discharged so far.
He said as many as 319 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours.
The fatality and recovery rates were 1.53 per cent and 62.04 per cent respectively.
The Health Minister said the Department of Health and Family Welfare had so far tested 70,226 samples and found 55,823 of them to be negative.
The results of the examination of the remaining specimens were awaited, he added.
Of the total 604 fresh cases reported Friday, Puducherry region accounted for 475 while Yanam had 83 and Karaikal logged 46.
Mahe region, an enclave of Puducherry in Kerala, had no new case.
Localised lockdown in 32 vulnerable locations from August 31: District Collector
Meanwhile, the Puducherry District Collector T Arun announced Thursday that localised lockdown would be enforced in 32 locations in the region for a week from August 31 due to the high doubling rate in COVID-19 cases.
Vegetable and grocery shops would remain open from 6 am till noon during the lockdown. All other shops and establishments would remain closed.
No outsider would be permitted to enter these areas during the lockdown. But those proceeding to offices would be exempted. Milk booths and medical shops would function as usual.
Industries and Revenue Minister M O H F Shah Jahan held discussions on Friday with officials of Health and Police departments on enforcement of localised lockdown from August 31.
The healthcare of the residents in the areas being brought under localised lockdown would be specifically taken care of, it was decided at the meeting.
