Assam Health Minister Worried; 3000 COVID Cases Reported Daily

Guwahati: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today expressed grave concern at the rising number of COVID cases in Assam. He said that currently there are at least 3000 cases being reported daily.

"At this rate if you multiply 3000x30, in this month itself we will have 90,000 cases. That will be a disaster because already doctors and nurses are feeling fatigued. Treatment of almost a lakh patient in just one month is going to be extremely tough," the minister said addressing a press conference here today.

He requested people to follow the COVID protocol, wear masks and maintain social distance.

"We will implement the Court's order in letter and spirit. We might have to act tough," the minister said.

The Gauhati High Court has directed the Deputy Commissioners and the Police to stringently implement the Rs 500 fine for all those found not wearing masks. The Court said this should be made compulsory. DCs and SPs has been made personally liable to play the necessary role in ensuring that people wear masks. The Court will monitor how much fine has been collected.

In case of repeat offence, the fine would be Rs 1000.

A meeting of the government, district administration and police would be held tomorrow to work out how best to monitor and implement what the Court directive says, the minister said.

Meanwhile, the positivity rate has gone up to 6.2% from 4.5%. On Wednesday, Guwahati reported 900 COVID positive cases as a large number of teachers, professors and staff of schools and colleges had gone for testing. On Thursday, 700 positive cases were reported.

"On Wednesday we had touched almost 1000 but in August we were reporting upto 500 cases. A jump has definitely happened. Even a jump from 500 to 700 shows a jump of one-third," the minister said.

The total number of positive cases stands at 1,18,333 in Assam. The number of deaths has reached 330.

The minister expressed concern about complications being seen among patients who have recovered from COVID and had tested negative. He said that the number of deaths could actually be around 1000 as several people are dying due to post COVID complications. "These people will not be counted as COVID deaths as they have tested negative," he added.

Also Read: Gauhati HC Expresses Concern About COVID Situation in Assam, Asks Govt to Act Tough