Bhubaneswar, May 7 (IANS): Odisha on Thursday reported its highest single-day spike in COVID-19 positive cases as 20 persons tested positive for the virus, taking the total tally to 205, said an official.

Out of the 20 fresh cases, 17 are from Ganjam district, and 3 from Mayurbhanj district.

All of the 20 cases have been identified as Surat returnee and they are in quarantine, said the Information and Public Relations department.

While Mayurbhanj joined the list of COVID-19 affected districts, Ganjam's positive tally increased to 21. Jagatsinghpur had joined the list of affected districts on Wednesday after it reported four positive cases.

Out of 205 positive cases, the number of active cases in the state stood at 142 while 61 patients have recovered so far. Two persons have succumbed to the disease.

The returnees from other states have posed a challenge for the state as the positive number is increasing day by day.

So far, 35,540 Odias have returned to the state by train, bus and other vehicles. A total of 7,451 Odia people have returned to Odisha on Wednesday. Quarantine for 14 days is compulsory for the returnees to Odisha.