Shimla: A fresh surge Covid-19 di infections in Himachal Pradesh which has claimed two lives has once again put the hill state on alert over the dreaded disease.

The health bulletin issued on Tuesday reveals that 140 fresh cases of Covid were reported in the past 24 hours, raising the total number of active cases to 594 in the state. The number has risen from 40 infections on March 3.

A 65-year-old woman in Kangra district succumbed to the coronavirus infection on Sunday. Earlier on March 16, a 70 -year-old male had died after his tests confirmed it was a severe Covid 19 case,  health officials confirm.

The Himachal Pradesh government has issued an advisory to the people to avoid going to crowded areas and to observe social distancing.

“Wearing masks and observing social distancing are two immediate measures which the people have to follow. The health officials are required to wear masks as part of mandatory instructions” said an official of the health department.

Among new cases reported on Tuesday, the highest number was 47 from Mandi followed by 38 from Kangra, the state’s biggest district.

Mandi was again among the districts having the highest number of active cases which was 135.

The central government has also issued instructions to the state governments to be vigilant after the increasing cases of coronavirus and deaths being reported due to the disease.

“The government is keeping a close eye on the cases of Covid and also monitoring influenza situation in the state so that the emergence of new Covid variants and influenza types (H1N1 and H3N2) can be prevented,” said Principal Secretary (Health) M Sudha Devi.

In view of the situation, people have been advised to wear masks while visiting hospitals. Senior citizens and people with comorbidities have also been advised to wear masks while in crowded places.

Apart from this, people have been advised to observe social distancing norms and adhere to hand hygiene.

“People should take the precautionary dose of Covid vaccine and those with flu-like symptoms should get themselves screened for influenza and Covid-19 immediately,” the advisory said

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said he was taking daily reports from the state Health minister Col (Rtd) Dhani Ram Shandil and asked the Principal Secretary (Health) to take all possible steps in order to prevent chances of people falling victim to the new variant.

During Covid wave in 2020 and 2021, as many as 4,195 people died in Himachal Pradesh.