Coronavirus: Out of 503 Present at Nizamuddin 'Hotspot' Samples Collected from 361, Confirms Assam Health Minister

Guwahati, April 2, 2020:

Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has informed that as of yet, the number of coronavirus or COVID-19 cases in Assam stands at 16. The Minister also informed that the state administration has been able to track down a majority of those from Assam who happened to be present at the hotspot in New Delhi's Nizamuddin.

"At this time and date, we are keeping an eye on people who have returned from Nizamuddin. 457 people have been recognized by the Indian Government who went to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation. Of these, 276 names were collected via the 104 helpline. Many were there who informed to the authorities."

732 people were set as the 'target' based on these collections, Sarma said Many people have also been tracked who did not go to the Markaz, but passed the area by in New Delhi, Sarma said. Such people numbered 226. Thus, the number of people who had to be tracked numbered 503, Sarma said.

The Government has so far identified 488 people, leaving only 15 people who are yet to be tracked down, Sarma informed.

Of 488 people who were tracked down, 361 samples have been collected, the Health Minister said, adding that 395 have been quarantined so far and a few samples are yet to be collected.

"Several of the samples have been tested, and 16 positive cases have been detected." The Minister also said that the all the samples will return the result only till 12 pm tomorrow. "We are taking an initiative through testing so that we can negate the impact of the Nizamuddin incident", he added.

The second line of action, Biswa Sarma said, will be to determine and isolate the people who were in contact with the people who were present near the Markaz during the stipulated period. "These people will be more than 503, this we can say in this moment", he added.

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Yesterday, eight people were tested as 'positive' who hail from Golaghat district in the State, Sarma said, further informing that they have been admitted to the Golaghat Civil Hospital where they are currently "stable".

The Minister also revealed that apart from the people who went to Nizamuddin, 951 samples have been tested for the coronavirus in six centres across the state. All have been negative so far and the results of 98 samples are still awaited", the Health Minister said.

Adding that there is news of people from Assam testing positive in other states, and tracing has been initiated to zero in on these people.

The Health Minister also informed that Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) is being prepared with 162 ICU beds with ventilation -- a significant upgrade. The Ministry is also planning to add 50 more ICU beds by Bohag Bihu later this month. Furthermore, a 256-slice CT scan machine has been added to the GMCH and a cath lab have also been added.

Coronavirus Update:

At the time of filing of this report, 955,412 cases of the COVID-19 have been reported worldwide. The United States leads with 215,357 cases, while Italy has reported the most deaths at 13,155. In India, 2,032 cases have been reported, and the death toll stands at 58.

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