Spike of COVID-19 cases in Guwahati: Ward-wise total lockdown for 7 days imposed

June 22: Assam Health Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in a press briefing in Guwahati on Monday said, “In the 12 screening centres that were set up for voluntary screening, 114 people have been found to be positive in the last two days.” He also informed that the 144 patients tested positive in Guwahati are without travel history and this indicate the spread of the virus in the city. The minister cautioned the residents of Guwahati saying that COVID-19 situation in the city has become alarming.

The fear of community transmission of novel coronavirus has now become the major cause of concern for the state health department. As such, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that 33 COVID-19 screening centres will set up at the ward level. He also stated that the health department has recommended the administration to impose ward-wise total lockdown for 7 days. It could be later extended to 14 days. He added that the decision will be taken by Kamrup Metropolitan district administration.

While addressing the press, the health minister stated that the last Shramik Special Train will arrive in the state on 24 June. So after that for atleast 7 days, the passengers will be kept under institutional quarantine. This means that the crowd will get thin in the quarantine facilities by the beginning of August. It is then that these quarantine facilities can be converted into COVID-19 hospitals for treating asymptomatic cases. The regular hospitals then can cater to the treatment of only symptomatic and serious patients. This strategy is essential as the Minister said that if around 150 to 200 people on an average test positive after ward-wise screening, then the capacity of the present hospitals will be exhausted.