A total of 36 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours despite Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claiming there being minimal positive cases in the state.

Sarma had also said that there was absolutely no reason for a lockdown in the state and people can celebrate Bohag Bihu this time.

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These positive cases include 34 female students of the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya School at Bordubi in Tinsukia district.

The matron and the cook of the residential school also tested positive for the virus.

The students are currently undergoing treatment at the Tinsukia Civil Hospital.

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Also read: Assam health minister downplays Covid-19 spike, says no chance of lockdown

The chance of Covid-19 cases doubles as voters in large numbers gather in polling stations to cast their votes during the first phase of the Assam Assembly elections on Saturday.

11 districts in Upper Assam went to polls during the first phase.

Although Covid-19 protocols like wearing face masks and using hand sanitizers have been made mandatory in all polling stations, these alone cannot curb the spread of the virus.

The huge election rallies being conducted across the state have also doubled the chance of the spread of the disease as the participants, including political leaders hardly adhered to any Covid-19 protocols.

The total number of positive cases in Assam stands at 2,18, 175.

The disease has so far claimed 1,104 lives in the state, though no new death due to Covid-19 has been recorded in the past 24 hours.