Amaravati, May 1 (IANS): For the first time in almost a week, Andhra Pradesh saw a noticeable decrease in coronavirus cases over a 24-hour span. On Friday morning, the state nodal officer reported that 61 positive cases were detected. However, the good news was overshadowed by the news of 2 deaths - taking the death toll to 33 in the state.

Kurnool district continues to cause concern as the tally continues to mount with every passing day. On Friday morning, it once again topped the tally chart, with 25 cases reported from the district alone. The cumulative tally of the district now stands at 411 cases. The highest number of 10 deaths have also been reported from the district.

Guntur district reported 19 cases, taking its cumulative tally to 306. The district ranks behind Kurnool, both in numbers of cases as well as in the death toll. So far 8 people from the district have died due to COVID-19.

Anantapur and Kadapa districts reported 6 cases each while 2 cases were reported from Visakhapatnam and West Godavari districts, respectively.

The death toll rose to 33 as Kurnool and Nellore districts reported one death each.

The last 24 hours saw 82 persons cured of coronavirus and discharged from hospitals. With 403 persons cured and discharged from various hospitals till date, the number of active cases in the state is 1,027. The cumulative tally is 1,463 in AP.

While 7 districts have not reported any new cases over the past 24 hours, Vizianagaram district remains the only district in the state to remain untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the state government is swiftly moving to fill up vacancies it had created for specialist doctors in Covid specialty hospitals, and district hospitals. It has invited applications for the positions of 830 doctors to work at Covid specialty hospitals in the 13 districts of the state. Similarly, it has also invited applicants for the vacant positions of 240 specialist doctors on contract basis.