COVID-19 cases rise to 5 in Assam; Health Min says could go to double-digit very soon
Guwahati/UNI: Stating that the number of Coronavirus infection cases could go up to double-digit in the state very soon, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that four new cases of positive COVID- 19 have been reported in the state, taking the total number of cases to five, with all the patients having a history of visiting congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi.
Informing this, Mr Sarma said all the cases have been traced back to the Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin in Delhi.
He said, "All these people had attended the congregation of Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi earlier this month and later returned to Assam."
He also added that till now the state administration has identified 230 people who visited Nizamuddin Markaz has returned to state and out of which 196 blood samples has been taken so far which are under testing.
“ A total of 196 samples out of 230 have been sent to five medical colleges for testing…. I am confirmed that more positive cases will emerge by evening which will take the tally to double-digit,” Mr Sarma said, adding that the state has entered a critical situation but given the preparations in last 15 days it is ready to tackle any eventuality.
The first case of COVID 19 in the state was confirmed yesterday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital when a person, who had attended the same congregation, tested positive.
The four new cases, who were also in the same congregation, were confirmed at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital here today. The state government has a list of total 547 names of people from the state who had either attended the congregation or were in the Nizamuddin area earlier this month, the minister added.
Exuding confidence that health workers in the state will be able to tide over the present scenario, Mr Sarma said that the government of India has announced an additional incentive of Rs 1000 per month for Asha Workers. The workers will receive this incentive for the next three months.
Earlier, the government had announced a comprehensive plan for incentives to the poor as well as to health warriors who have been risking their lives and working to fight Covid-19.
Mr Sarma also informed that the people of Assam have come forward to help the government in the fight against coronavirus. Giving details he said, approximately 6,252 people/organizations have donated to the Assam Arogya Nidhi Fund so far and an amount of over Rs 8 crores have been collected. More donations are expected in the coming days
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.