Assam Assigns Govt School Teachers to Spread Message of 'Corona' in Every Nook & Corner

Guwahati, March 16, 2020:

Keeping in view the threat posed by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus that has turned deadly in several continents, the Assam Government on Monday has earmarked Government school teachers to carry out awareness campaigns to better educate the people.

Announcing this at a press conference in the State's capital, Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that teachers will go to the schools despite their closure till March 31, and they will spread awareness about the pandemic coronavirus in the neighboring areas. "They will come to the school and then they will visit the neighboring areas so that awareness camps can be organized." They will inform the people about directives proposed by the Government -- such as avoiding handshakes and mass gatherings.

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Moreover, despite the closure of schools, the students will be provided with mid-day meals, the Government has decided. Thus, the hard-to-do students who depend on the meals for afternoon sustenance, will not be deprived, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

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Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, announcing that there has been a rising number of cases in India, stated that the state's Government is taking steps to contain an outbreak of the virus. He further informed that not a single case has been detected in Assam.

The Minister also said that now, in the midst of the outbreak and surging number of cases across the world, all tourists -- both domestic and foreign -- are being screened at the airport. Train passengers are also being screened for any traces of the virus, he said.

To prevent an outbreak, the Government has also advised to stay away from "non-essential" social gatherings such as birthday parties and marriages. "If the coronavirus enters Assam, the containment will not be easy, as we have many unreachable area; places where the administration cannot reach", Biswa Sarma stated.

The Minister further appealed the students and professionals who have returned home after the outbreak to get tested in case any symptoms show up. "Some people run away from thermal checkings; that is not the way", the Minister chided.

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Now, the Minister informed, Assam's Gauhati Medical College and Hospital has been accredited to test samples for any traces of the virus. Regional Medical Research Centre Lahowal, as well as the Jorhat Medical College's laboratory have also been accredited to check samples.

Moreover, the Minister also informed that Barpeta Medical College, Tezpur Medical College, and Silchar Medical College have also been accredited to collect samples for testing. "We have received kits, and we are in the process of upgradation. Soon, Silchar Medical College, will become an accredited testing centre.

Himanta Biswa Sarma has also informed that all the samples that were tested in Assam have returned 'negative' results. He said, "29 samples have been tested at the GMCH in Guwahati, 28 have been declared negative...and one is pending. In Lahowal, we tested six persons -- these included the driver of the American who was tested positive in Bhutan, and 5 foreigners aboard the MV Mahabahu cruise ship, that was boarded by the Amedican. We have tested another person in Jorhat, result is pending."

2,000 facilities have also been created in order to quarantine 2,000 people if the need arises, the Minister said, adding that 507 isolated beds have been created by the State Government and 269 ventilation facilities are there.

In the hospitals, he said, 12,129 PP kits are available, 61,263 triple layer masks are available, 5215 N95 are available, and 57,69,166 pairs of gloves are available.

These announcements have been made by the Assam Government in the wake of the outcry over the outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19 that has claimed over 6,500 victims worldwide. Meanwhile, schools the nation over have been closed down and gymnasiums, cinematheques, and swimming pools have also been directed to be closed by the Governments across the world, to prevent further spread.

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