Mega Covid-19 identification drive launched in Guwahati; Here is the list of swab collection centres

Guwahati: Amid rising fear of Covid-19 community transmission in Guwahati with the detection of several cases without travel history, the massive testing drive undertaken by the Government of Assam will be held across 12 testing centers.

"In order to facilitate people to get themselves tested, in case required, without having to visit hospitals, we have decided to open the following health facilities where swab collection for Covid-19 will be done free of cost", Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state health minister tweeted.

These testing centres are as follows:

1. Gauhati Medical College OPD

2. Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital OPD

3. Dhirenpara FRU

4. Ulubari Urban Hospital

5. Dispur Capital Dispensary

6. Khanapara State Dispensary at 6th Mile

7. Bhetapara State Dispensary

8. Lokhra State Dispensary

9. Bamuni Maidam (East Guwahati) State Dispensary

10. Santipur (West Guwahati) State Dispensary

11. Udalbakra MPHC

12. Pandu FRU

The Assam Government has decided to ramp up the number of tests conducted in Guwahati after detection of cases near the loading and unloading areas of trucks bringing in essential commodities from other states. "In the next 15 days, we will collect 50,000 samples in Guwahati city so that we can break the chain of cases. For the people who do not wish to give their samples in the hospitals, we will set up 12 testing centres from 9 am onwards on June 16", Sarma had said at a recent press conference, also adding that 25 Covid-19 positive cases in the city do not have any travel history.

"Say after conducting 50,000 tests in Guwahati, supposing we get 500 positive cases, we will have to again go for a lockdown, but not before testing. We want to proceed very cautiously, we will surveil the areas petrol depots, parking spots, dhabas, godowns, etc. If we are compelled, we will not shy away from taking any tough decisions", Sarma further informed.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 recovery rate in Assam has risen above 50%, and has, in fact, surpassed that of the nation. While 2,093 cases are active in the state, 2,205 patients have been discharged after recovering from the respiratory illness.

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