Bhopal/Indore, April 8 Confusion prevailed in Bhopal and other major Covid 19-hit towns of Madhya Pradesh till past midnight on Tuesday over the tally of positive cases. While the state government stuck to the figure 290 in 14 towns, the figure had crossed 300 by 11 p.m.
With 68 positive cases were reported till midnight, the figure had touched 324. Nine deaths were also recorded in 24 hours ending midnight. These included six from Indore and three from Ujjain. The death toll in the state so far has touched 24, second only to Maharashtra that reported 52.
The confusion was partially attributed to the steep rise in the figures of the positive cases among the healthcare staff. The top health department officials were down with the virus, including the Principal Secretary Health Pallavi Jain-Govil and Additional Director Dr Veena Sinha.
Of Bhopal's 83 positive cases reported by Tuesday, 40 were from among the healthcare staff and 12 police personnel. Among the policemen affected was the city superintendent from Bhopal Alim Khan.
The new appointments in the department were announced late in the evening. The reshuffle effect reflected in the bulletins issued on Tuesday.
The official bulletin did mention non-availability of figures from Indore. The 68 new cases included 27 from Indore and 21 from Bhopal. The number of cases in Indore has hit an alarming 178 while Bhopal has recorded 84. Khargone district reported 12 cases, including 10 on Tuesday, which included eight from the same family.
On April 5, Gwalior district was reported to be corona free with all patients cured. Four fresh cases were tested positive on Tuesday forcing the administration to extend the lockdown till April 9.
Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain have had a large spread of the areas under the corona effect, government sources said, adding the government has declared 63 localities in Bhopal, 37 in Indore, six in Jabalpur, five in Chhindwara two each in Gwalior and Shivpuri and one each in Morena, Betul and Barwani as containment zones for an effective check on the spread of the virus.
( With inputs from IANS )