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GUWAHATI: Take it as a warning shot or otherwise, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked Assam to be well equipped with oxygen, oxygen-supported beds, ICUs etc on a priority basis by August 15 as the State is going to cross the 64,000-mark in the number of corona positive cases by August.
On behalf of the Union Ministry, NHM OSD Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to Dispur on the would-be situation of the corona pandemic in the State. The letter said that the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Guwahati alone by August would be over 32,000.
The estimation of the would-be corona cases in the State sent by the Union Ministry is based on the study of cases up to July 9 when the State had a COVID-19 tally of 10,140. The warning letter says "As COVID pandemic continues to evolve a periodic assessment of present and future preparedness is imperative…It is requested that step may be taken on priority to augment the bed capacity wherever necessary and availability of sufficient oxygen-supported beds, oxygen supply and ICU beds must be ensured by August 15".
According to the estimation given by the Union Ministry, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the State will be 64,389 by August with around 32,933 cases in Kamrup (Metro) district alone. The estimation given for some of the other districts of the State are – 2,931 in Hojai, 2,883 in Nagaon, 2,398 in Dhubri, 1,873 in Golaghat, 1,495 in Barpeta, 1,310 in Morigaon, 1,214 in Darrang, 814 in Dibrugarh, 941 in Jorhat etc. The lowest, as per the estimation, is 21 in Majuli.
Commenting on the letter, State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "I don't know on what basis the Union Ministry has given such figures. However, since they've given us an estimate it is imperative on our part to discuss the matter with all departmental officials and do the needful. One thing is clear that the pandemic in Guwahati is right on course to be like what is in Delhi and Mumbai. It's up to the public. They should remain alert or else the metropolitan city is bound to experience a disastrous ordeal."