Gangtok, July 25(IPR): As per today's Health Bulletin issued by DG-cum-Secretary, Health, 22 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the State today. 5 patients were cured and discharged today taking the total number of persons cured and discharged to 142. The total tally of active cases in the State now stands at 357.
The DG-cum-Secretary informed that 1 case was reported on TrueNat, 18 cases on RTPCR and 3 cases on Rapid Antigen.

The person who tested positive on TrueNat was an employee of Sun Pharma company.

Out of the 18 cases reported on RTPCR, 1 was a doctor from the Emergency Ward of STNM Hospital, 1 from Dhobi Dhara Arithang, 1 from Vishal Gaon Arithang, 3 from SSB Rhenock, 3 from Rongli (primary contacts), 5 from ITBP Rey, 1 from Saramsa(Ipecac), and 1 from Namchi. While 2 doubtful cases which were reported from flu clinic will be re- tested.

Out of the 3 persons who tested positive on Rapid Antigen, 2 were from Rangpo (linked to Chanatar case), and 1 was from Timburbong West Sikkim who was also a secondary contact from the Rangpo gathering.

Speaking about the case of a STNM Doctor testing positive, the DG-cum-Secretary said that three other doctors deployed in the Emergency ward including nurses and attendants will be lodged in the Annexe building and Yatri Niwas respectively and will continue to render their service. Although the Emergency Ward has been contained and will be closed for new patients for atleast a week, the patients who are already admitted will continue to receive treatment by the same set of doctors and paramedics. The doctors on duty, nurses, support staff, and all the patients in the Emergency Ward will be tested on 29th or 30th of July, he informed.
Dr. Bhutia further informed that CRH Manipal has been requested to cater to all the emergency services. He also appealed to the Chief Medical Officers of all four District Hospitals to avoid referring emergency patients to Gangtok as it would increase the load on CRH, Manipal. He appealed to the people of Sikkim to visit CRH Manipal in case of emergency.

The DG-cum-Secretary also informed that the OPD services will commence at the old STNM Hospital from Monday. He however said that it is a makeshift facility and is only equipped enough to provide basic healthcare services.