Barpeta: District admin shuts down 12 markets to contain COVID-19

Guwahati: Owing to the steady and alarming rise in the COVID-19 cases across the Barpeta district in Upper Assam, the district administration has ordered the closure of as many as 12 markets on Tuesday in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly contagion.

Munindra Sharma, the Deputy Commissioner of this district has taken this step as a counter-measure against the rising number of virus cases. The well-renowned markets of Baghbar and Kalgachia have also been closed as per the DC's order.

This measure to contain the spread of the contagion has been witnessed at a time when some of the districts of Assam have already clamped lockdown as a measure against the virus. After the districts of Dima Hasao and Kamrup (Metro) went under lockdown, the district administration of Jorhat has also decided to impose a lockdown from 7 pm on June 9.

The situation in Assam has grown rather alarming, with the cases rising at a rapid rate amid whispers of a community spread. Yesterday alone, 786 new COVID-19 cases were detected in Assam, with 598 cases from Guwahati city -- which has rapidly emerged as the new epicentre of the disease in the state.

Meanwhile, as a result of the Government's resolve to push up the number of tests to isolate the cases of the virus, Assam is nearing the 5 lakh test mark. As on June 6, the state Government's machinery has been able to conduct 471,221 tests. "Our testing figures reached 471,221 today. Together we have to win this battle and targeted tracking & testing form the core of our strategy. Do support our incredibly committed teams, out day and night for testing", Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote in a tweet, announcing the development.

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