Assam: Does Himanta Biswa need to undergo quarantine? Opposition asks.

After a doctor tested positive in Singimari Health Centre in Assam, questions are being raised about the people who came in contact with the COVID warrior. The Health Centre was visited by a host of VIPs and senior officials and there have been allegations of social distancing violations as well. Among those who have visited the centre, is Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Debabrata Saikia, Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly has asked whether the state health minister needs to undergo quarantine. "As per the clips shown, the doctor was in close proximity to Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Should he too undergo quarantine now?"

The Leader of Opposition also alleged that social distance has not been maintained and ministers have violated central norms "to undertake politics". He also compared this to the case of Satpal Ji Maharaj, tourism, cultural and irrigation minister in the cabinet of Government of Uttarakhand, who had tested positive. Following this revelation, the entire state cabinet went into quarantine as he had attended a cabinet meeting.

Also read: Assam detects 28 new Covid19 cases, state tally at 1513

Rise of cases so far

Meanwhile, cases in Assam have risen to 1513 in the recent weeks. The health department has been battling the pandemic with all its might. Of the 1513 cases, 284 are cured or discharged, 1122 are active while four have died due to the infection.

As of 2nd June, India has touched 1,99,000+ corona positive cases. The country currently has 97581 active cases with 95526 cured and discharged. The total number of deaths is 5598.

Maharashtra is the first state to cross 2 thousand deaths. It has recorded 70013 corona cases total, with 30108 cured, 2362 deaths and 37543 active cases. The western state is followed by Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Delhi has 20834 cases with 8746 cured, 523 deaths, and 11565 active cases. Tamil Nadu has crossed 23495 cases with 13170 cured, 184 deaths and 10141 active cases. Gujarat with a total of 17200 cases so far, has 10780 cured, 1063 deaths, and 5357 active cases.

Much will be understood in the days to come with interstate airlines reopening. Easing of travel restrictions has lead to a spike in cases as the country heads towards a more relaxed lockdown 5.0. The question is, is living with corona the new normal for Assam and the rest of the world?

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