COVID-19 tally: Assam crosses one-lakh mark; total cases 1,01,367

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Corona tally in Assam has crossed the one-lakh mark on Friday, yet a section people in the State seems to bother the least in adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. If this attitude continues, lockdown may revisit the State sooner than later.

State Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said, "COVID-19 tally in the State is set to cross one-lakh mark. Even though the rate of COVID-related death in the State is just 0.26 per cent, the toll keeps rising. Around 12/14 corona deaths are reported almost every day in the State these days. However, seriousness of the public on adhering to guidelines is not up to the mark. If this laid-back attitude continues in the State the government may resort to adopt the unpleasant lockdown regime again. The lockdown was lifted taking the economic hardship of the people into consideration. It was lifted with a rider that COVID-19 guidelines have to be strictly adhered to. However, what's happening on the ground is quite different."

Till Thursday, the corona tally in the State was 98,807 and the death toll was 237. Every day corona claims 12/14 people these days. Initially, mostly people aged over 50 and 60 years were victims. However, in a remarkable shift now patients of all age groups die of the virus. This is a big challenge for the government. The Union Health Ministry did caution Assam that by August corona tally in the State would be around 65,000. However, on the ground the State is going to cross one-lakh mark tonight. The situation has come to such a pass that the ratio between medical staff (doctors and nurses) and corona beds may disturb the equilibrium.

The mechanism in place for monitoring violation of COVID-19 guidelines is also not that strict. City buses, share taxis and other mode of passenger-carrying vehicles are supposed to ply with 50 per cent capacity. However, under the very noses of police personnel on duty city buses are seen plying with around 80 per cent commuters. The situation is no different with share taxis. This apart, eye-catching punishment against those violating guidelines like going to public places without face masks is rare.

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