Coronavirus: Assam Tea Garden Labourers to Receive 3 Triple-Layer Masks Each

Guwahati, April 13, 2020:

Assam Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the State Government will now safeguard the tea garden labourers against the new coronavirus by providing them with 3 triple-layer masks each.

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"Minister Pijush and officers have advised that at least 2 of the triple-layer masks should be given to the tea garden labourers since they have re-joined their work. So, NHM has decided that we will give 3 triple-layer masks to the tea garden labourers", Sarma told the media.

Sarma said that ASHA, MPW, ANM as well as frontline workers are being given such amenities already. "Since this is daily disposal, we will be buying them. But we have decided to give 3 masks each to the tea garden labourers", he said.

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Addressing the media, Sarma also reflected on the several pertinent issues related to the COVID-19 in the state, which reported its 30th case earlier in the day.

Today, Barpeta Hospital Hazarat Ali aged 35 from Dhubri. He came to Guwahati via an Air Asia on April 21, and returned to Dhubri. However, he said that the man had not taken part in the Tablighi Jamaat.

He had gone to Bara Bazar for grocery shopping, Sarma said, adding that he was advised to go into quarantine.

On April 7, after health complications, the patient was shifted to a Dhubri Hospital's isolation ward, and on April 10, a sample was collected. After screening, he was declared as COVID-19 positive on April 13, Sarma said, adding that he is now being brought to the Magendra Mohan Choudhury (MMC) Hospital in Guwahati's Panbazar.

"Apart from the first patient, all are returning to a stable state. From 15 April onwards, they will be released if their health condition does not deteriorate further" Sarma added.

Meanwhile, across the state, 3,209 samples have been collected, 3,070 cases have tested negative, while 31 cases have returned a 'positive' result. The results of 109 samples are being awaited, Sarma further added.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Nagaland’s COVID-19 Positive Man being Kept in ICU of Guwahati Hospital

From Nizamuddin, 1,421 samples have been tested for the coronavirus so far, and there are 29 positive cases. Now, results of 34 samples by the awaited by the Government.

"This issue is headed towards its closure. As soon as the 34 results come in, we will be heading toward closure", Sarma said, adding that the number of tests might increase if any more cases are detected. From 14 April onwards, the day 14 testings will be conducted, Sarma further informed.

Sarma further added that at this point in time, the state has 85,582 PPE kits and informed that the number of PPE kits will be capped at 2 lakh. "Beyond that, we will not spend public money", he said, adding that 2 lakh static stock of the kits will be maintained by the administration.

The Minister also informed that 91,000 N95 masks are available in the state, while 50,64,694 triple-layer masks are available. Talking on the lines of those from Assam stranded in other countries, he said that the second installment of $1000 announced will be released on April 25.

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