COVID-19: Bihar Governor calls all-party meeting to assess situation - fresh guidelines here

Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan has called an all-party meeting on Saturday to assess the COVID-19 situation in the state. With the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, the Bihar government is apparently struggling to provide medical facilities to patients. Hospitals are having to cope with a shortage of oxygen cylinders as well.

Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a high-level meeting, where he hinted at implementing more restrictions in the state. "If the situation continues to deteriorate, more suitable measures will be taken to put a brake on the surge of coronavirus in Bihar like other parts of the country in the wake of its second wave," Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told reporters. 

In view of the growing cases of COVID-19, the government has banned all sports programs and gym operations with immediate effect. This is being done to stop the spread of the virus and to break the infection chain.

The Department of Arts, Culture, and Youth has issued an order stating that all sports complexes, outdoor-indoor stadiums, swimming pools, competitions, and training programs in gymnasiums and gym operations in Bihar will be suspended till May 16.

Meanwhile, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Modi took the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Bihar reported 6253 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday. With this, the COVID-19 tally in the state stands at 3,07,557. A total of 1688 people have lost their lives on account of the deadly virus since its outbreak last year.

Out of the fresh 6253 cases, a maximum of 1364 cases was reported in capital Patna. Other major COVID-19 hit districts are Gaya with 590 cases, Muzaffarpur (393), Bhagalpur (386), and Begusarai (257).

A total of 1853 patients recovered in the last 24 hours, while 2,72,403 COVID-19 patients have been cured in the state so far. The recovery rate stands at 88.57%. There are 33,465 active cases in Bihar at present.