Cases double in 5 Days; 259 COVID-19 positive cases in Assam

All district administrations alert on Eid

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With corona rising sharply the number of cases in the State has registered more than 100 per cent increase in the past five days. Oddly enough, keeping pace with the corona cases, the violation of social distancing norms and lockdown rules is also on the rise.

The first COVID-19 positive case was reported in Assam on March 31. Up to May 17 since March 31 the number of corona positive case rose to 100. However, in the past five days the number of cases has risen to 259, including the 49 cases reported on Friday. However, most of the corona positive cases are among people who have returned to the State.

The biggest problem which the State has been grappling with now is quarantining such a large number of people who returned from other States. Apart from the quarantine centres set up in districts and revenue circles, such centres have come up in schools, colleges etc where quarantine protocol, according to allegations, are not strictly adhered to. Complaints regarding poor quality of food, lack of basic facilities and quarantined people roaming around have been received from certain such quarantine centres.

Even as Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that violation of lockdown rules and social distancing will invite legal action, some of the district administrations have not been able to keep strict surveillance on lockdown violations, maybe due to lack of manpower. With the Eid slated for Monday next, crowds are seen in various markets. This is happening despite repeated requests from district administrations and renowned Islamic leaders. Huge public gatherings were witnessed on Friday at Kalgasia in Barpeta district and that led a section of conscious citizens to lodge a complaint with the Circle Officer requesting him to seal all the shops for violating COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing norms. The situation is no different in Dhubri.

On Thursday, Mangaldai Deputy Commissioner held a meeting with all imams of masjids in the district and requested them not to hold any mass prayers at idgahs on the Day of Eid. Similar instructions were also issued by the deputy commissioners of Barpeta, Dhubri, Sonitpur etc. However, the deputy commissioners are not sure if the people will refrain from holding mass prayers on Monday. They have instructed the respective police stations to be on alert so as to thwart any unpleasant incidents during the Eid.