Gujarat has recorded 965 new Covid-19 cases during the past 24 hours. Total cases in the state detected so far have gone up to 48,441. Our correspondent reports that 20 patients have lost their lives yesterday taking the total death due to Covid-19 in the state up to 2,147.

Out of 965 new cases, maximum 206 cases have been reported from Surat city. Ahmedabad city recorded 186 new cases. Out of 11,412 active cases in the state, the conditions of 69 patients are serious. 877 patients have been discharged after recovery during the last 24 hours. With this, the total patients recovered from the Covid-19 have gone up to 34882.

Out of 20 deaths recorded yesterday, six deaths each recorded in Ahmedabad and Surat. More than 5 lakh 36 thousand tests have been carried out in the state till date.

In the other hand, Union Territory Daman has reported 20 new cases, while 9 patients discharged after the recovery. Our correspondent reports that the total number of Covid-19 cases has gone up to 350.In Gujarat, Surat is the city that is worst affected by Covid-19 as the new cases of infections are increasing day by day. Out of 951 new cases reported from Gujarat during the last 24 hours, the Surat city and district recorded 291 cases.

Following the increase in new cases of Covid19 in Surat, the trade and business community has started taking the steps very proactively. After the special drive by Surat Municipal Corporation, now the various trade and business organizations are taking a series of steps to check the infection.

According to sources, many shops, markets and industrial units in this textile and diamond city have voluntarily shut their businesses or cut their working hours. About 25 textile markets with more than 35 thousand shops have announced total shut down till 20th July.

Similarly, after getting more new cases of infections, the diamond trading hub in Mahidharpura is now operating for only 3 hours from 2 pm to 5 pm. Many garments, jewellery and wholesale markets have also decided to cut their working from 2 to 4 hours to check the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile in  Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today inaugurated various tourism and pilgrimage project worth 126 Crore rupees during the e-launching event organized in Gandhinagar. Union minister of state for tourism Prahaladsinh Patel was also present at the E launching through video conferencing.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed dedication of making Gujarat a World Tourist Destination by setting up a complete tourism circuit of various tourist centers in the state. Mr Rupani said that Gujarat continues the journey of development work even in the global slowdown following  corona pandemic.

Our correspondent reports, the CM said the state government is considering setting up a tourism circuit connecting Jyotirlinga-Somnath, Sasangir, Sinhadarshan, Girnar Parvat, Uparkot and Somnath beach.

He added that the ropeway on Girnar Mountain, which will be launched in the coming days, will be a new attraction for the entire tourism sector. Mr Rupani said the state's tourism sector is the largest employer and has become a new force in economic growth.