Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj on Monday asked COVID-19 patients to call him in case of any emergency.
He visited the state-run Deen Dayal Hospital here and inspected the facilities at the COVID-19 ward.
The Minister also spoke to the hospital administration on different issues. Bhardwaj, a local legislator, enquired from the hospital authorities about the availability of oxygen and beds.
While talking to the mediapersons about the staff shortage, he said that the gap would be filled through appointments on an outsourcing basis.
Asking the patients not to panic, Bhardwaj said, "I and my family have gone through the COVID phase. One should not panic."
Meanwhile, the state on Monday reported 515 fresh COVID cases and 10 fatalities.
“The death toll reached 635 while the total case tally stood at 40518,” stated Himachal’s evening health bulletin.
In the last 24 hours, four deaths were reported in Kangra, three in Kullu and one each in Shima, Kinnaur and Una.Of the 515 fresh cases, a maximum of 183 were reported in Shimla followed by 98 in Kangra.
So far, 31548 people have recovered from the virus in the state. 855 people have recovered in the last 24 hours, it said.
Till the evening, there were 8289 active cases in the state. Shimla has the highest number of active cases in the state at 2158 followed by 1555 in Mandi and 1056 in Kangra.
Till now, 529355 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the state, the bulletin added.
