Jharkhand on Sunday witnessed seven new coronavirus positive cases with six from Ranchi and one from Simdega, taking the total number of positive cases to 38.

This figure includes the new Covid-19 patient from Dhanbad whose infection was confirmed late on Saturday night. Till Saturday evening, the official state figure was 33.

Also, the retired bureaucrat from Ranchi whose Covid-19 infection was detected in New Delhi, died on Saturday night. However, his infection is not being included in the official list from Jharkhand as it was detected outside the state. He was in his mid-70s and lived with his elderly wife in an upscale neighbourhood under Ranchi Municipal Corporation ward 9. His wife is quarantined at home.

Secretary of the health department Nitin Madan Kulkarni confirmed the fresh new cases and added: “We are investigating their contact and travel history.”

A source in the health department said that of the six cases in the state capital, five are from Hindpiri, who are middle-aged, and one is from Bero, aged around 54 years.

The boy from Simdega is a minor aged 17. He had come to Hindpiri recently and stayed for a week.

The contact history of the elderly former bureaucrat who died of Covid-19 related complications on Saturday night in Delhi is proving to be difficult. Nothing is known so far about how he contracted the infection.

He was known to stay at home mostly and hardly ever went out. On March 31, he suffered a brain haemorrhage after he fell in the bathroom.

He was under treatment at Lake View Nursing Home. But when his condition deteriorated he was airlifted to Delhi about four days ago. There, doctors conducted the Covid-19 test on him and the results came back positive.

His apartment has been sealed and all residents have been asked to stay in home quarantine.

On Sunday, the official news release issued by Ranchi district administration stated that Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray had visited the apartment and the nursing home where the elderly man stayed.

Swabs of doctors and health staffs of the nursing home were also taken.

“We are tracing the contact history of the deceased. CCTV footage is being to ascertain who else came to meet him,” said health secretary Kulkarni.

The developments of the last 24 hours have left health department worried as in the capital cases are going beyond Hindpiri.

“Local transmission is manageable, community transmission will be horrific,” said a source in the administration.

“We appeal to all the residents to obey the lockdown and not use the Harmu river to venture out and roam about. It is for your safety and that of fellow residents,” the official added, admitting it was difficult to barricade the river.

The Ranchi district administration is learnt to have requested the state government to deploy two companies of the rapid action force of CRPF to ensure complete lockdown.