‘No COVID-19 case in Assam’ Says Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

MLA seeks passengers’ screening at Guwahati Railway station

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Though no case of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been detected in Assam till date — as stated by State Minister of Health & Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Budget session on Tuesday — BJP legislator Dr Numal Momin raising the issue stressed the need for making the necessary arrangements for scanning passengers at the Guwahati Railway Station.

Giving a written reply, Minister Sarma outlined the steps taken by the government on the issue. He pointed out that all necessary precautions and preparations have been taken to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 in Assam and to restrict the epidemic in case of positive cases. These steps are in line with the advisories issued by Government of India and in consultation with the local offices of World Health Organisation, UNICEF and other international organizations, the Minister stated.

The Minister also outlined the following precautionary steps initiated by the State government: The Deputy Commissioners of all districts, Principals of Government Medical Colleges and Joint Director of Health Services of all districts are being sensitized on the actions to be taken and also spread awareness among the people.

The Panchayat & Rural Development Department and Education Department have been advised for carrying out the IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities; and in this regard, 73 Gram Sabha meetings have been already held in the bordering districts so far.

Besides, medical teams (doctors with paramedical staff) are being deployed in all airports across the State and ambulances are being kept in a standby position; Assessments of Triple-Layer Mask, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), N95 Mask have been done; Announcements for awareness are being made at the Airports among the passengers at regular intervals about COVID 19 infection

The Minister’s reply added that 55 persons travelling from China are being observed in Assam from January 15, 2020. Of them, while 46 persons have completed the observation period of 28 days till February 24, 2020, the remaining persons are under observation in home quarantine for the incubation period. Till now, two persons have been admitted with mild symptoms at the isolation ward in Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati. “The samples have been collected and tested and the results were found to be negative,” the Minister’s reply added.

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