Imphal, Jun 15 (IANS): With a surge in the COVID-19 cases in Manipur, the state health department has set up an outreach team to take care of the elderly people lodged in the old age homes in the state, officials said on Monday.

An official of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that considering the increased number of positive cases in the state, the department has formed the outreach team to look after the aged people.

"The outreach team is now visiting eight old age homes located in different districts of Manipur. The visiting team also distributed face masks, hand sanitizers and other kits to the inmates of these homes.

"The team members apprised the elderly people about the infectious COVID-19 disease and to maintain the social distance and take other hygienic steps," the official said.

With the return of thousands of natives from different parts of the country, the COVID-19 surge continued in Manipur.

The total number of positive cases increased to 458 with active cases 367.