5 persons tested positive for coronavirus in Assam: Himanta

April 1: A total of 5 persons were tested positive for coronavirus in Assam till now including the man from Badarpur who is undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College & Hospital. All five patients of Covid-19 were present at Nizamuddin Markaz. This was stated in a press conference addresssed by state Health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday afternoon. He also stated indications are there that this number will definitely rise towards the evening.

Out of them, three persons are from Jagiroad, one from Nalbari and one from Badarpur (Karimganj detected on Tuesday). The 4 positive cases were being treated at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), while the man from Badarpur is admitted at SMCH. The minister added that these patients will be tested every five days.

The minister further stated that more test reports are expected to come by Wednesday evening and he will be informing the same through social media. Himanta Biswa Sarma further stated that the positive cases are expected to rise and cross double digits by evening. The minister categorically stated that all 5 of them attended the controversial “Markaz Nizamuddin”, the Delhi headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat group  from 6 to 10 March, regarded now as the ‘hot bed of coronavirus.’

Sarma further stated that the samples of 196 samples were collected and sent for testing. Till now, 68 persons out of  have not returned to the state who went to attend the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi. He stated that the names of persons are usually not declared, but he announced the names for public interest so that people could ascertain whether they came in contact with them. He appealed to people to report to the nearest health facility, if they came in contact with these persons. They can also dial ‘104’ to inform the health authorities.