Deputy commissioner Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh on Monday gave out some hope amid the gloom even as novel coronavirus cases are on the rise in Hazaribagh.

He confirmed that seven patients have recovered from the disease and they will be discharged soon from Hazaribagh Medical College and Hospital (HMCH).

Singh also confirmed four new Covid-19 positive cases in the district.

With this, the total number touched 44 out of which three have been discharged after recovering from the disease last month.

Singh said it was a matter of relief that seven patients have tested negative after treatment.

“So far 50,000 migrant labourers have returned to the district and have been quarantined,” he said.

About the four new patients, he said they belonged to Vishnugarh, Katkamsandi and Tatijharia blocks.

Singh said the four persons went for screening after returning from Mumbai so there was no need to make their village a containment zone.

“But we will send swab samples of their relatives for testing to ensure that they are not infected,” he said.

Superintendent of police Karthik S. said in cases of lockdown violation, police have so far recovered Rs 15.8 lakh as fines from violators. He urged people to maintain social distancing to defeat the novel coronavirus.

New superintendent of HMCH Sanjay Kumar Sinha said they were waiting for the reports of 500 samples sent to Ranchi and Jamshedpur for Covid-19 tests. He said all patients tested positive have been admitted to HMCH and they are getting proper care, food and medicines.