Staff Reporter Aizawl, May 10:
Mizoram has reported three more COVID-19 deaths during the last 24 hours, pushing the state's virus toll to 21.
Lalneihliana, an 87-year- old man from Bethlehem Vengthlang neighbourhood in Aizawl died at 3:50pm Sunday due to Covid-induced pneumonia at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) here. He was diagnosed with the virus on April 29 and was admitted to the hospital's ICU on May 2.
Later at 6:30pm, Lallunghnema, an 86-year- old man from North Lungpher village died due the same cause at the same hospital where he was admitted on May 3.
At 5:00am today, Lalthianghlimi, a 68-year- old woman from Kanan Veng in Aizawl succumbed to the virus infection at the same hospital. She had tested positive on April 21.
Meanwhile, Mizoram today reported 73 new cases, taking the state's virus caseload to 7,623, an official statement said.
The new cases were detected from 904 samples tested on Sunday, putting the single-day positivity rate at 8.10 per cent which is the highest ever. The decline in number of cases might be due no tests being conducted at ZMC's lab on Sunday.
Of the 73 fresh cases, 54 cases were reported from Aizawl district, eight from Siaha, four from Lawngtlai, one from Lunglei and two cases each from Kolasib, Serchhip and Khawzawl districts, it said.
Eight patients have travel history, while the rest 65 were found to have locally contracted the virus. Of the 73 patients, 41 have developed symptoms of COVID-19.
Mizoram now has 1,847 active cases, while 5,755 people have recovered from the infection. As many as 172 people were discharged from various COVID-19 Care Centres on Sunday after they were declared fully recovered.
A seven-day statewide total lockdown began this morning to control the surge of Coronavirus cases.
With the total lockdown coming into force this morning, the public life came to a grinding halt. Police said people and vehicles were not found on the streets and markets and shops were totally shut down all over the state.
As per the lockdown order issued by the state government, state government offices except health and family welfare, home, disaster management, finance, information and public relations and district administrations are closed. Also, Intra-state and intervillage movements have been strictly prohibited except in some very essential cases.
Following the lockdown guidelines, places of worship, educational institutions, public parks, picnic spots, theatres, gymnasiums, community halls are also shut down. Social gatherings have also been prohibited.
The total lockdown will remain in force till 4 am of May 17.
(Source: Newslinks Vol-XXIII No. 96 Aizawl May 11, Tuesday 2021)