Shimla, Sep 1 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said 214,182 people have been tested for coronavirus out of which 6,116 tested positive.

He said cases per lakh in the state were 87.3 as compared to national average of 267.7 cases per lakh.

And the death rate is 0.58 per hundred cases which is quite low as compared to national average of 1.7 per hundred.

The Chief Minister was addressing district officials through video conferencing from Shimla.

He directed them to ensure that doctors and other paramedical staff involved in treatment of Covid-19 patients use complete protection against the virus.

The Chief Minister said asymptomatic patients should be kept in home isolation and the health workers should regularly visit such patients for their medical check up.

Thakur said till date the Central government has provided 500 ventilators, 1.60 lakh PPE kits and over three lakh N-95 masks to the state.

He said people accompanying patients and students and candidates, who need to move in and out of the state due to competitive examinations, their movement may be facilitated by waiving off the condition of quarantine, if they exit or re-enter the state or vice versa within a period of 72 hours.

Thakur said the state is contemplating to open temples soon for which SOP would be prepared to facilitate the devotees.

He said the Deputy Commissioners have been directed to simplify the process of entry to the state but at the same time the process of e-pass would remain in force.

He said the government is ensuring that development in the state does not affect due to Covid-19 pandemic.