COVID-19 infection rate is decreasing in Kamrup (M) district of Assam?

Guwahati: In the midst of a big boom in COVID-19 cases across Assam, the residents of Kamrup (M) will be slightly relieved to learn that the number of cases seems to have nosedived slightly over the past few days.

Yesterday, "only" 354 cases were registered in the urban agglomeration. Although this number might appear to be a massive spike at first glance, this is actually lesser than the average number of cases that have been reported in the Guwahati city since its "corona explosion."

Yesterday, two more patients breathed their last, out of which one patient hailed from the Kamrup (M) area. However, this was to be expected, seeing as the number of deaths due to the new coronavirus has been rising at a steady and alarming rate over the past few days (the total is now 66).

Compare this to a day earlier, when 1,680 new cases were registered in Assam, out of which 570 cases (or roughly 30% cases) were discovered in Kamrup (M) alone. A day prior to this, 448 positive cases were detected in Guwahati (out of 1,093 cases across Assam).

The latest numbers released by the Government reveal that the COVID-19 cases seem to be more spread out across Assam. In contrast, not too long ago, a major chunk of cases would be reported from Guwahati city, which was the first area in Assam to go under complete lockdown after transmission of cases in the "community level."

Denizens of Assam would be further buoyed to learn that 972 COVID-19 patients were discharged across Assam after recovering from the disease. This points to the fact that although the number of cases has continued to rocket upwards, the recovery rate is also increasing at a breakneck pace.

Although these numbers suggest that the COVID-19 has well and truly taken a hold over the largest urban area in Assam, the predictions from both the Central and the State Governments suggest that things are about to get way worse.

Officials have said that it is too early to celebrate. Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma yesterday revealed that Government's estimates point to a massive surge in the number of cases in August, in line with the Centre's projections.

Biswa Sarma yesterday said that the numbers in Guwahati alone are likely to increase to 750-1,000 on a daily basis. He said that another projection will likely be made on August 15. The prediction at the beginning of September will be one of the last, he opined, adding that the virus is likely to be on its way-out after September 15.

So, does the slight reduction in COVID-19 cases signal at good times ahead, or is it simply a calm before the proverbial storm? Only time will tell.

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