COVID-19: Assam's 33 Districts Prepare to Deal with Pandemic amid Soaring Number of Cases

Guwahati, April 5, 2020:

With cases rising from zero to 26 COVID-19 cases within a span of just five days, Assam now has a real challenge to deal with and protect its 33 districts from the dreaded coronavirus.

Assam Health & Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been monitoring and reviewing the preparation to fight coronavirus in the State. He has also been actively engaged in ensuring coronavirus treatment is provided to the medical staff of the Northeastern State.

According to the latest updates on Assam's medical preparedness, Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna informed that the State currently has 2,769 isolation beds, 435 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Beds at Government and private Hospitals, 206 ventilators and 7,215 asymptomatic but suspected persons.

In terms of logistics, Assam has 5,957 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kits, 36,653 N95 masks and 7,25,087 triple layer masks.

Assam currently has 26 COVID-19 positive patients, of which Golaghat reported the highest number of cases, 9. Goalpara, Cachar, Karimganj, North Lakhimpur, Guwahati, Nalbari, Morigaon and South Salmara. Barring the Guwahati patient, all the 25 persons are attendees of the religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi.

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1529 people from Assam have been tested for COVID-19. 5,846 people have completed the quarantine period of 28 days, 567 people, who are symptomatic have been hospitalized, 73,510 people  who are asymptomatic are under home quarantine. There are a total of 1342 facilities currently.

Assam Chief Secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna tweeted the fighures and posted, "Latest Updates on figures and medical response related to COVID-19 outbreak, for the people of Assam to stay informed.

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Assam Health & Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday reached Goalpara to take stock of the COVID-19 situation.

After reporting three cases of COVID-19, Goalpara, along with the State, has prepared to cope with the illness in the district. Assam Health Minister today visited the civil hospital to check on the preparations and the status of the three COVID patients.

“The 200-bed Civil Hospital at Goalpara is lifeline for people here. To check preparedness on #Covid19 and also enquire about 3 positive patients, I visited the hospital today. Met doctors / staff to express our gratitude. Requested them to remain vigilant,” tweeted Sarma.

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He also said that the Assam Government has collected 105 swabs of the people who came in contact of the Guwahati COVID-19 patient.

The Health Minister further informed that the COVID-19 positive patients at Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMC) in Guwahati were given Yoga therapy through video conferencing.

"Yoga therapy by our Yoga expert through video conference with covid positive Patients at MMC Hospital,Guwahati today morning.They are getting destressed and mental well-being refreshed. One can see them in the mobile phone. In the back drop you can see our ICU staff in ICU," he tweeted.