The steel city did not record any Covid death on Wednesday, the East Singhbhum civil surgeon said, warning in the same breath that it did not mean that the impact of the killer virus was waning.

"Though the number of Covid cases on Tuesday was considerably low (98) and no Covid death was reported till Wednesday evening, we cannot say that the spread of the coronavirus had been contained,” said district civil surgeon Rajendra Jha.

He said the coronavirus was very much present and spreading in the steel city and in the rural pockets of East Singhbhum. “But we can defeat it if the people of the district pay utmost attention to preventive measures like maintaining social distancing, washing hands regularly and wearing masks," Jha said.

So far, 50 people have died of Covid, most of them elderly people with comorbidities. The total number of cases as of Tuesday was 2,390. If Monday recorded 198 new Covid cases, Tuesday saw the number going down to 98.

Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce & Industries' (SCCI) vice-president Dinesh Chaudhury (40) who died on Tuesday, tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, confirming doctors’ suspicions that he had been infected.

Former SCCI president Suresh Sonthalia, who is a good friend of Chaudhury, said his body was still in the custody of the administration. The last rites would be performed at the Subernarekha crematorium in accordance with health department protocols.

"It is unfortunate that Dinesh Chaudhury tested positive for the coronavirus. As he was a very social person, I used to meet him regularly. I have, therefore, decided be on self-quarantine at home," said Sonthalia, a resident of Sonari where Chaudhury used to live.