Deaths because of Covid-19 in Odisha remain a cause of concern even though the number of positive cases has come down.

In the last seven days, more than 20 people have succumbed to the virus almost daily.

The overall death toll in the state touched 8,818 on Thursday with 21 more fatalities being confirmed by the health department. Now the state has 15,980 active Covid-19 cases.

“The number of new Covid positive cases has come down. But those people who passed away were admitted to the hospital with various complications. The number of casualties will come down soon,” said a senior health senior official.

The daily Covid-19 toll was highest on February 4 and February 6 with as many as 23 casualties reported.

The state had reported 10 deaths on January 28 and 15 on January 29. The Covid tally was 19 on January 30 and 18 on January 31. But the number of casualties further increased in the first week of February.

The state had reported 22 deaths on February 5, 23 on February 6, 20 on February 7, 21 on February 8, and 22 on February 9.