Tripura tops NE states in Covid-19 tests: Minister

Agartala: Tripura topped the eight north-eastern states in Covid-19 sample tests and the state's testing ratio was more than double the national average, claimed a Minister, here on Sunday.

Law and Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the state tested 8,324 samples per million to detect coronavirus infection. Tripura had tested 33,331 samples, he added.

According to the Minister, Arunachal Pradesh has tested 7,174 samples and other north-eastern states 1,000-3,000 samples per million. The national average was 3,345 tests per million, said Nath, who is also the Tripura government spokesman.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in a Facebook post said, "We are conducting the maximum number of Covid-19 tests to ensure everyone's safety. Team of specialised doctors is taking care of patients."

Stating that people coming from other states are under surveillance at home or institutional quarantine centres, Deb said, "We are leaving no stone unturned to fight the pandemic.I am personally monitoring the situation and taking daily updates. We shall overcome the pandemic soon."

Among the north-eastern states, Tripura follows Assam with 750 Covid-19 cases, which includes 163 Border Security Force (BSF) troopers and their family members.

Of the total, 573 are active cases.