COVID-19 infection rate in Guwahati and Jorhat is "similar": Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Assam finance and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that the rate of infections in Upper Assam's Jorhat is similar to that of Guwahati – the unquestionable COVID-19 epicenter of Assam.

Drawing parallels between the two cities in Assam, Biswa Sarma said, "The rate of infection in Jorhat and Guwahati are similar. In Guwahati, where the population is 10 lakh we are getting 500 cases. Here, with a population of around 1 lakh, the number of cases is increasing by 60-70. Thus, the rate of infections in Guwahati and Jorhat has increased at a similar rate."

The finance minister stated that the Assam State Government is ramping up its health infrastructure to meet the projections of the Central Health Ministry that has prognosticated 65,000 cases in the state by the end of August. "We do not know how accurate the estimates are. However, they have not taken our measures – such as the lockdown – into consideration. This, I believe the number will not be as high as is being predicted."

It needs mention here that there has been a steady and alarming rise in the cases across Jorhat, which has been put under lockdown to arrest the outbreak. Yesterday, after a surge of 92 more COVID-19 cases, the district administration of Jorhat declared 10 areas as Containment Zone.

The order for the declaration of 10 areas as Containment Zones came out within a day of declaration of an indefinite total lockdown in the urban and sub-urban areas in the district. In Jorhat, about 60 healthcare workers have been infected by the COVID-19 virus, including three doctors.

As a counter-measure Himanta Biswa Sarma suggested that a separate isolation ward should be set up for patients visiting the hospital for emergency treatment. "After 8-12 hours, their results will be announced, and they can be taken to their respective wards", the minister advised.

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