Agartala, June 23(TIWN): Around 806 patients have been admitted at various hospitals in Tripura on Monday, 442 were found positive ( pf malaria) after blood test, said health minister Badal Chowdhury.

Speaking to reporters at civil secretariat today evening the minister said that maximum cases have been reported from  Jolaibari 88 patients and from  Khoifang 146 patients.He also informed that there is report of only  one death today at Hadu Kaluk Para in Ambassa sub- division rising the toll to 44. The deceased was identified as Hemu Renu Reang (7 years).

About the visit of central team the health minister said that the team today visited Longtarai Valley and Gandacherra, which was worst affected after the outbreak of malaria.He also informed that additional director of family welfare and health department of union government Dr. Nupur Rai  today faxed the state government thats more anti- malaria drugs will be airlifted from Haryana, Guwahati and Chennai.  The drugs is likely to reach the state by next couple of days.The minister also informed that all SDMs were told to give additional ration to the patients including two eggs each day for fifteen days.

It may be  recalled  here that  Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's directive 11 ministers have rushed to the malaria affected areas. They will stay there until the situation returns to normal. The ministers will supervise the disease control programme.

Over 23,000 people have fallen ill in the tribal-dominated mountainous areas of Dhalai, Gomti, Khowai, North Tripura and South Tripura districts.At least 44 people, including 35 children, have died and more than 23,000 have fallen ill since the first week of June. Of the 23,000 ill people, malaria germ was found in the blood of 3,500 of them.

All the affected people have been admitted to various government hospitals in the five districts.

However, sources in the health department said the unofficial tally stands at more than 60 dead and 30,000 ill.