No Positive Cases of Coronavirus Reported in Assam, Confirms Health Minister

Guwahati, March 20, 2020:

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday confirmed that no positive reports of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 have been reported in the State so far.

While addressing the mediapersons, the Health Minister said, "16,508 have been screened so far in airports of Assam. In other places, such as through contact tracing and also at railway stations, 62,800 people have been screened so far."

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He added, "As long as there are no symptoms -- if the person has come from outside, be it Karnataka or Kerala -- they should quarantine themselves at home for 14 days. We will only take the people with symptoms to the medical colleges."

The Health Minister also said that the parents should quarantine the people at home. 1,003 people have been advised to be at home quarantine. In Assam, at least 41 people, showing symptoms, have been kept in isolation wards in medical colleges and hospitals.

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"164 persons who were in home quarantine for 28 days have come out without showing any symptoms...57 samples have been tested so far, all have returned negative results -- 39 in GMCH, 11 in RMRC, Dibrugarh, 3 in JMCH and 1 in SMCH. Confirmed conronavirus cases are NIL," informed the Health Minister.

In the wake of coronavirus, the Assam Government has taken a slew of initiatives to deal with the situation, in case of any outbreak in the State.

On Friday's press conference, the Health Minister announced that Silchar has been accredited by the ICMR to test for signs of the virus, in addition to the already existing ones at Guwahati, Jorhat and Lahowal.

The Minister also warned against half-truths and rumours on social media, which could trigger panic among the people.

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It may be mentioned here that India has recorded a total of 206 cases of coronavirus. Four have died due to the infection. The fifth death of a foreign tourist in Jaipur has also been reported. Maharashtra has emerged as the worst affected State in the country with over 50 cases.

245,967 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus globally, out of which, 147,454 are currently active or currently infected cases and 7,388  are in critical condition. 10,048 people have died so far due to coronavirus.

Keeping in view the figures of the death toll and positive cases across the globe, Assam also has taken the required preventive measures to contribute in curbing the spread in the country.

Assam Government had earlier also prohibited mass gatherings of all types in the State with effect from March 17. It has advised to stay away from “non-essential” social gatherings such as birthday parties and marriages. “If the coronavirus enters Assam, the containment will not be easy, as we have many unreachable area; places where the administration cannot reach”, said Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

It also earmarked Government school teachers to carry out awareness campaigns to better educate the people. The Government also closed down Kaziranga and all other wildlife Reserves, National Parks and Sanctuaries of the State from March 17 to March 29, 2020.

The Assam Secretariat, Barber & Beauty Salons, Museums, Libraries, Liquor Shops, everything have been ordered to remain shut till March-end.

The Government has further postponed the upcoming elections in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), which was scheduled on April 4, 2020.

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