We need 60 lakh COVID vaccines: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Phase-1 ANTI-COVID DRIVE

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam needs at least 60 lakh COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate the vulnerable sections on a priority basis in phase-1. Following an instruction from the Centre, the State government has prepared a tentative list for phase-1 vaccination.

Sharing this information with the media here on Monday, State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The Government of India asked us to prepare the list for vaccination in the first phase. The four categories of people in order of priority who have made it to the list are – (i) doctors, nurses and other medical staff; (ii) personnel of the Army, paramilitary forces, police and others; (iii) people aged over 50 years of age; and (iv) patients with co-morbidities.

"We've conducted a population-wise study for the vaccination. We need 60-70 lakh vaccines in phase -1 of the drive.

"The COVID-19 situation is well under control in the State now. Since reports of the second and the third waves of outbreak are coming in from various places across the country, we've equipped ourselves with a contingency plan. As of now, the positivity rate in the State is 2.08 per cent and the death rate is 0.46 per cent. The recovery rate in the State is 98 per cent against 93.7 per cent at the national level. The number of COVID-19 active cases in the State is 3,350 now.

"Gradually, the number of COVID-19 positive cases is falling. Since the symptom of the viral infection is not showing now, the masses have given up the practice of going to the COVID testing centres on their own for sample test.

"However, we haven't allowed any laxity on our part. On an average, we conduct 20,000-25,000 COVID tests daily.

"The first few COVID-19 infections came to the State from other States. Now, we're alert not to let the second wave arrive in Assam from outside. That is why we've adopted stricter monitoring, especially at the airports and the railway stations. With the number of COVID-19 cases falling fast and the onset of winter, we've wound up all temporary COVID Care Centres in the State. Now the treatment is going on only in hospitals."

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