AMBIKAPUR: A total of 35 patients have returned positive from Ambikapur, Surajpur district. The health authorities in Surajpur have ramped up testing in view of the rising COVID-19 infections. Out of the 35, 17 students from the Kasturba Gandhi residential hostel resulted positive for COVID-19.

Those who tested positive were immediately given medical attention. Those who came under contact have been instructed to isolate and follow COVID guidelines. A sudden spurt has been reported across the state, Surajpur has been reporting around 8-10 cases on an average daily

Earlier on Tuesday, CM Bhupesh Baghel called for an high level meeting to take stock of the COVID-19 situation and directed officials to speed up preparations. Concerned abiut the spike in the cases, CM has directed health officials to increase daily testing and sample collection in each district.

On the instructions of the CM, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain also convened a meeting with commissioners, collectors, the Superintendent of Police, and chief medical officers of all divisions. All district collectors have been directed to ensure COVID protocols in their districts while CMHOs have been instructed to make appropriate arrangements in terms of oxygen cylinders, life-saving equipment, and medicines at the hospitals. Essential kits, consumables, and trained human resources have been ordered to be posted at district and division hospitals