Bhandara in Maharashtra covid-free after 15 months

The lone patient under treatment for coronavirus was discharged from hospital in Maharashtra's Bhandara district on Friday. With no new cases reported, the district has become coronavirus-free after fifteen long months.

A release from the district information officer said that tracing, testing and treatment, along with proper planning and collective efforts, have helped Bhandara be coronavirus-free. 578 patients were tested in the last 24 hours, all of whose results came out negative.

"There are no coronavirus patients in the district now," it said.

The collective effort of the administration and the cooperation of the people played an essential role in making the east Maharastra district covid free, said District collector Sandip Kadam.

"Although the number of coronavirus patients in the district is zero today, people need to be careful in the coming days and follow COVID-19 protocols," he added.

District civil surgeon Dr RS Farooqui noted that the sole way to prevent communicable coronavirus is to follow all protocols. The health department has also taken necessary steps to curb a potential third wave, he added.

According to official figures, 59,809 cases and 1,133 deaths were reported in the district thus far.