Rise in COVID-19 positive cases taking critical turn in Cachar district

SILCHAR: Geometrical rise in COVID-19 positive cases in the district of Cachar is worrisome. The statistics as given by Dr Bhaskar Gupta, vice-principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital is quite revealing. According to him, Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) of 803 persons done during the last 24 hours of Thursday, 89 have turned positive. This is an indication that the contagious disease has taken community shape and poses threat to general health and hygiene and this has been the most disturbing phenomenon after the discontinuation of lockdown. RAT has been taken on wide scale and till Thursday, 76351 tests have been done. Active patient admitted in COVID block is 235. 16 patients are in ICU and 2 on ventilation. In critical condition 12 patients are in ICU and 4 in COVID ward. Death recorded so far is 17.

The district administration and the health department are sparing no efforts to meet the challenge. More and more COVID care centres with expanded bed capacity and medical facilities have been created, besides giving wide publicity on awareness and health care. Psychological support is being extended to patients under trauma under the care of psychiatrists. Tele-medicine centre has been opened at Civil Hospital to provide necessary guidance and help to in house patients. Dr Aalok Shubhra Biswas attached with the Civil Hospital said, "The dedicated team of doctors and nurses are giving their best to patients for their recovery and good health. Yet, often the blame is put on medical services. This is most unfortunate."

In fact, it is the people themselves who are to blame who hardly care to follow the COVID-19 protocols. Despite repeated cautions from the administration, most of them take pleasure in making a mockery of masks, social distance and hand sanitisation. Dr Rama Prasad Biswas, Associate Professor of English, Assam University, is for strict enforcement of protocols as laid down by the Union Home Ministry and the health department. He makes significant observation when he says, "A law is no law unless enforced." He suggests tough measures to make the unruly understand the rule of law. This is also the view of Aminul Haque Laskar, Deputy Speaker of Assam Assembly. Those who get admitted in COVID Care Centres are mostly the violators of guidelines. Uday Shankar Goswami, senior citizen, advocates tough measures against the crowding at markets and other business centres.

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