Campaign launched to ensure COVID-free Puducherry by Feb 28

A campaign has been launched to ensure re were COVID-19 cases by this month-end in union territory, where daily count has fallen to single digits, a Health department official said on Sunday.

Under "Zero Covid by Feb 28" campaign, all those who had come into contact with people infected with coronavirus would be identified and provided treatment, so that furr spread of pathogen could be prevented, Health and Family Welfare Director S Mohan Kumar said.

A coordinated effort to achieve goal had been geared up and campaign was launched on Saturday to free Puducherry of COVID-19, he told PTI.

Kumar said only eight new cases of infection were reported in last 24 hours ending 10 a.m. on Sunday after testing 1,930 samples.

A 50-year old man with co-morbidities became latest fatal victim of infection as toll rose 657 in UT.

overall caseload in Puducherry was 39,448 while 38,533 had recovered so far, leaving 258 active cases.

While Puducherry region reported five new cases, Karaikal one and Mahe two cases.

Yanam region, located in Andhra Pradesh, continued to have nil COVID-19 cases.

fatality and recovery rates in Union Territory were 1.67 per cent and 97.68 per cent respectively.

A total of 6.06 lakh samples had been tested so far, Kumar said.

Director also said 5,644 health care workers and 309 front line workers have been vaccinated against COVID-19 since launch of drive last month.