Brief

– 97 out of 98 random samples sent for genome testing turn out positive for Delta Variant of Covid-19

– Covid-19 positivity rate at 18.6% in July, so far

– Covid fatality at 0.59

– No total lockdown in Sikkim but micro containment of wards & villages being carried out

Full Report

Gangtok, July 20: Sikkim Health Minister, MK Sharma on Monday said that 98 random samples were sent to Kalyani in West Bengal for genome testing on June 23, of which 97 samples have tested positive for the Delta Variant of Covid-19.

“The Delta Variant is not just highly transmissible, but it makes the patient serious with minimum symptoms. I urge people to come to hospital as early as possible,” Sharma told reporters.

“We can now conclude that the positivity rate hasn’t gone down because of the spread of Delta Variant in Sikkim. The Covid fatality is at 0.59, which is not so worrisome,” he said.

The Covid-19 positivity rate in Sikkim has been at 18.6% in July, so far.

The second wave of Covid-19 hit Sikkim along with other North Eastern states. The state government has taken slew of measures to control the rising cases.

Sharma said a total lockdown of Sikkim won’t be possible at this point. “But micro containment of wards and villages is being carried out to control the cases,” he said.

The minister said the government will now follow up on samples of patients who have already recovered and checked out of hospitals.

He further added, “This will help us understand high Covid positivity in certain areas and communities of Sikkim in relation to the presence of Delta Variant for better containment measures.”