Assam: COVID-19 Positive Cases Will Soon Reach Double Digit, Says Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, April 1, 2020:

Assam Health & Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has cautioned the citizens of the State to stay alert and said that soon positive COVID-19 cases will increase from five to double-digit number.

After declaring four new positive cases of the virus, the Health & Finance Minister said that currently, Assam has five positive cases and all of them had participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi.

Addressing a press conference here in Guwahati, Sarma said, "This number will increase by evening as we are testing more samples. It is almost sure that Assam's positive cases will rise after the test results are declared."

After a man named Jamaaluddin from Karimganj tested positive on Tuesday, four more positive cases were confirmed till the filing of this report.

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Assam Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the names - Mohammad Arshad Ali (19) from Nalbari, Mohammad Hazrat Ali (60) from Jagiroad, Mohammad Nuruddin (55) and Mohammad Junab Al (46) from Jagiroad.

Dr. Sarma also informed that all the five COVID-19 positive patients are stable. However, Jamaaluddin, Assam's first case, is suffering from cancer while also fighting the COVID-19 disease.

The Minister urged all of the ones who have come into direct or indirect contact with the five positive persons, to report to the Government so that the the required screening and testing are carried out.

"If we go  by the timeline, on March 5, he traveled to New Delhi via the Rajdhani Express. He reached Delhi on March 6 and from March 6 to 10, he participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz, which is next to the Dargah. On March 10, he returned to Guwahati via Rajdhani Express and on 11^th, he went to the Athgaon Kabristan Masjid where he spent the night. He came across a few people in the Masjid, especially two. We have collected the samples of the two and the testing has begun. Meanwhile, another man from Morigaon had visited the Masjid to spend the night. Although he has not shown any symptoms, we have collected his sample and sent for testing. We have also quarantined him," said Sarma.

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Jamaaluddin had also been to the Cachar Cancer Care Hospital on March 17. On 18^th, he took treatment and left for his home.

Nizamuddin Toll

"We have a list of a total of 547 people from Assam who visited the Nizamuddin Markaz or the nearby area. Of them 347 are present in Assam but we are able to trace 230 people. The rest are roaming freely. Their phones are switched off. By evening, we should get the final list of all the people," said Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.

It needs mention here that of the 230 who have been identified, samples of 196 have been collected and sent to 5 medical colleges and the tests are in process.

134 of them have not yet showed any symptoms, yet we are keeping an eye on them while four of the ones who were present at the Markaz have tested positive in Delhi -- Naskar Ali, Baksa, Faharuddin, Baksa, Mustafa Ahmed, Barpeta and Nagaon’s Mohammad Ali.

The Assam Health Minister has urged all the ones, who had attended the Markaz and not yet informed, to come forward and report to the nearest medical centre.

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