STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Amid reports of Covid cases spreading to several other districts along with Guwahati, Assam's Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said on Saturday that there is no need to panic over the latest wave of the pandemic.
It needs to be noted that active Covid cases rose from nil to 1,370 in the state within the last 15 days. The latest wave started with a spike in Guwahati city. The spurt then spread to Kamrup, Darrang and Dibrugarh in particular. The positivity rate in the state is rising every day and it is already more than double the national rate.
According to the Health Minister, the Health Department is keeping a close watch on the Covid scenario and all necessary preparations have been reviewed. Mahanta said that there is no need to panic over the new positive cases primarily because the new variant of the virus is relatively weak. Secondly, he said, most of the eligible people in the state have been already administered double doses of the Covid vaccines. Moreover, the state machinery is well equipped with ICU beds, medicines, oxygen and experienced health care staff to cope with the emerging situation, Mahanta added.
Meanwhile, Health Department sources said that while the increase in the Covid positivity rate is a matter of concern, Covid-testing centres are not being reopened at various locations as yet to avoid creating a panicky situation. The situation is being closely monitored and all necessary measures would be taken at the appropriate time, the sources said.
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