PATNA: The state health department on Thursday made it mandatory for everyone to wear mask in public places. The order was prompted by a steep rise in the number of Covid-19 positive cases in the state in the past few days.Issuing the order under the Bihar Epidemic Diseases, Covid-19 Act Regulations 2020, state health department principal secretary Sanjay Kumar said those going out without mask were not only posing a threat to themselves, but also those around them. Violation of the order will invite punishment.As per the order, masks need not be surgical and can be homemade double- layered or even a clean multi-layered gamcha.There has been steep hike in the number of Covid-19 positive cases in Bihar this week, especially in the past five days. Till April 19, there were 96 cases in the state, which increased to 153 on Thursday.Coronovirus cases were also reported from five new districts, Banka, East Champaran, Rohtas, Bhagalpur and Vaishali in the past eight days. Even state capital Patna has recorded 10 new cases in the past four days and it stands at fourth position with 16 cases. As of now, there are 11 active cases in Patna.Kumar said, “ A more targeted approach to identify covid positive people is the reason behind the increase in Covid-19 cases in Bihar recently. Both door-to-door screening, as well as the decision to test all those who had returned from foreign countries helped identify more people.”He added that two migrant workers with travel history from Maharashtra were identified in door-to-door screening in Bhagalpur.When asked what steps will the health department take now, Sanjay said, “For us it is important to identify who are infected and then segregate them and break the chain.”