The COVID-19 mortality rate of Assam continues to b the lowest in the country, said state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

"COVID-19 mortality rate of Assam is 0.24 per cent, which is the lowest in the country," Sarma said while addressing the media in Guwahati on Sunday.

"Assam is followed by Kerala and Tripura in terms of COVID-19 mortality rate," he added.

The minister added that low COVID-19 mortality rate was a positive sign for the state, which showed Assam has been able to tackle the disease better than many other states so far.

It may be mentioned here that so far 105 people have succumbed to COVID-19 infection in Assam, with four patients succumbing on Sunday itself.

Sarma further informed that with 75 per cent recovery rate, Assam was positioned fourth in the country after Delhi (89 per cent), Haryana (81 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (76 per cent).

"We have been able to conduct 27,544 tests per million population so far, which is the 5th best in the country," Sarma further said.

"We are working for a larger goal of humanity and not for a model. Our commitment to fighting the pandemic is robust," Sarma added.

Assam, in the last 24 hours recorded 1,178 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total COVID-19 tally in the state to 42,904.

Meanwhile, the Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna on Sunday announced some lockdown relaxations which will remain effective till August 14.

Malls and gymnasiums are allowed to operate between Monday and Friday on the same side of the street on which other shops are allowed in Kamrup Metropolitan district and both sides in all other districts.

Restaurants and other hospitality services are allowed to function on all days except Saturday and Sunday, with the maintenance of COVID-19 protocol of social distancing.

Hotels are allowed to operate with strict maintenance of COVID-19 protocol.

Inter-district movement of people is allowed on Monday and Tuesday only. No separate permission will be required for inter-district movement.

All Central and State government offices, including banks, insurance companies, NBFCs, etc., can operate with 100 per cent attendance, except pregnant women.

Point-to-point buses will be operated for the staff.

Non-contact sports in open space with social distancing will be allowed.

Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places of the public gathering will remain closed.

Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, religious functions and other large congregations will remain closed.

Movement of individuals will remain strictly prohibited between 6 pm and 6 am.