Assam CM Visits Srirampur on Assam-Bengal Border to Take Stock of COVID Arrangement

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: For the first time after formation of the new government, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday visited Srirampur inter-state check point along the Assam-Bengal border in Kokrajhar district along with Health and Family Welfare Minister Keshab Mahanta and BTC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro and took stock of the arrangements put in place for screening of incoming passengers and their testing as well other COVID control measures.

The Chief Minister reviewed the data of incoming vehicles at the inter-state check point and directed the district administration and health department to ensure mandatory COVID testing and strict isolation of positive cases while discouraging home isolation. The officials of the district administration apprised the Chief Minister about various steps taken for containment of the pandemic including arrangements made at the inter-state border, COVID vaccination campaign and testing in the district.

The Chief Minister during the review directed the Kokrajhar district administration to increase testing and conduct 20 per cent RTPCR of all COVID tests. He also directed the Superintendent of Police to enforce complete blockade of inter-district movement of people while asking the Health Department to intensify vaccination at vulnerable areas, including tea gardens. Chief Minister Sarma also took part in a plantation programme at the compound of Srirampur check gate.

Later talking to media persons, the Chief Minister said that while COVID positivity rate had gone down in the district, still around 60 to 90 positive cases were detected in Kokrajhar district every day. He informed that the district administration had been directed to gradually decrease home quarantine of positive patients as the chances of COVID outbreak in villages was potentially higher in case of home isolation. He also said that the administration had been instructed to intensify RAT and RTPCR testing.

The Chief Minister further mentioned that while 1.20 lakh COVID tests were conducted in the State on Monday, daily COVID cases hovers around 6,000. He informed that the State government continued its efforts to ramp up health infrastructure, including adding more ICU beds, increasing oxygen availability. He also said that the State Government planned to set up oxygen plant in every district hospital to meet future oxygen demand.

Replying to a query that people from outside the State in the age group from 18-44 were taking COVID vaccine in Assam, the Chief Minister said that he would immediately take steps on the issue. He also informed that with a view to ensure that there was no shortage of essential commodities and medicines in the State, COVID test of drivers of goods carriers were being conducted at their final destination only.

Also Read: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma asks Health Dept to ramp up COVID care infrastructure for children