Bengaluru, Jul 27 (IANS): Karnataka's Dharwad district-based bus and coach manufacturer Tata Marcopolo has shut its plant for eight days starting Sunday, after some employees tested Covid positive, an official said on Monday.

"With the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Dharwad district, including in and around the plant, normal plant operations are scheduled to commence effective August 3rd," a Tata Motors official told IANS.

During the shutdown, the manufacturing plant will be fumigated.

"It will be conducted over eight days from July 26 to August 2, comprehensively covering all sections of the plant. During this period, the plant will have skeletal manpower to address only essential services and some maintenance requirements," the official said.

Located in the Belur industrial area outside Dharwad, the company is reported to have recorded up to 35 infections, all of whom are currently undergoing treatment at KIMS hospital.

On Sunday, Dharwad reported 165 new Covid cases, raising the district tally to 3,190, out of which 1,873 are active.

It has witnessed 95 Covid fatalities until Sunday.

Dharwad is 430 km northwest of Bengaluru.