Himanta Biswa Sarma Condemns "Politicization" by COVID-19 'Positive' Patients of Assam

Golaghat, April 3, 2020:

Addressing some concerns about the outbreak of the new coronavirus or COVID-19, Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the "politicization" of the screening and treatment procedure adopted by the Assam Health personnel after it has come to light that some of the positive patients have placed calls and complained of "mistreatment'.

ALSO READ: Breaking: 4 More Corona Positive Cases Detected in Assam, Total 20 Infected

Addressing concerns of people who are being quarantined despite having no symptoms, Sarma said that they are like "human bombs" right now and upon being released, will pose a grave threat to the societies they return to. He appealed them to "cooperate" for 14 days and not make things "political". The Minister also affirmed that no anomalies are there as long as the treatment of the patients is concerned and lashed out after it came to light that some have complained of "mistreatment" during quarantine.

"Some feel they are not suffering from fever so why are they kept in quarantine? They should read. Lots of people become carriers", he said.

Talking on the lines of the patients who are admitted in Golaghat, he said that some are symptomatic patients and some are asymptomatic patients, and they are doing "fine" from a health perspective.

A large number of people of Golaghat went to the 'hotspot' in Nizamuddin Markaz, which is why there is extra vigilance in the state, it was clarified.

After 14 days, they will be tested again. If their results turn negative again the next day, they will be released, Sarma said. 8 positive cases have been lodged in the Golaghat hospital, where they are currently being treated for the infection, it may be mentioned here. They all are linked to the mass gathering at the Nizamuddin Markaz incident in New Delhi.

Talking about Golaghat district, Biswa Sarma said that 14 youths from Golaghat are still outside the state and they are in quarantine. When they do return, they will be screened, quarantined, and only then they will be released, he added.

It may be mentioned here that earlier in the day Biswa Sarma, via Twitter, has announced 4 more positive cases of the virus. Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that four more patients have tested positive for the coronavirus — 3 are from Nalbari and 1 of the patients is from South Salmari district. The Assam Minister has said that all 4 cases are associated with the Nizamuddin Markaz incident.

Meanwhile, the Minister said that by 12 am on Friday, all the tests relating to the Markaz incident will yield the results.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: 25 Starving Homeless Families ‘Stuck’ in Assam’s Nalbari, Pray for ‘Achche Din’

This information has been confirmed merely days after the state reported its first confirmed case of the corona, a 52-year old businessman from Karimganj district who has been admitted at the Silchar Medical College (SMC). Additionally, the first patient is also said to be suffering from cancer. Subsequently, the Government has confirmed 15 more cases, taking the total tally to 16. After today's announcement, the toll has risen to 20.

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