Complete lockdown in Bihar as Covid-19 cases rise

In the wake of increasing number of Covid-19 cases, total lockdown will be imposed in Bihar from 16 to 31 July. In the last 24 hours approximately 1,432 new cases were registered in the state, taking the toll to 18,853 active cases. The lockdown would be strictly imposed in state headquarters, district headquarters, subdivision headquarters and block headquarters besides municipal areas in the state.

The essential services have been exempted from the lockdown. This growing number of cases has provided the Opposition with ammunition to target the ruling Nitish Kumar government. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav went to the extent of accusing the BJP of spreading coronavirus in the state. He said, “100 samples were collected at the BJP office in Patna of which 75 people tested positive in the state and that includes several senior leaders of the party. The BJP is only concerned about elections in the state and are busy campaigning and in turn spreading corona.”

 BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand said, “Tejashwi Yadav is indulging in dirty politics. Those who tested positive are in home quarantine. The RJD and the Congress should answer why they are spreading misinformation and why have they not gone for coronavirus tests voluntarily.”

 The state has registered a total of 143 deaths due to Covid-19. Among the districts Patna registered single day highest surge of 162 cases in the last 24 hours, followed by 124 in East Champaran, 114 in Begusarai, 107 in Nalanda, and 92 in Nawada.