18 more +ve in Cachar on Tuesday, total rises to 141; two more deaths

August 4: At around 8.30 PM on Tuesday, District Media Expert, Suman Choudhury informed that another 18 persons were detected positive in Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Earlier, during the  day, 107 persons were found positive in Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). That means, a total of 125 persons were detected COVID-19 positive during RAT. Apart from this, in the 1st two slots of RT-PCR Test, 16 persons (14+02) were tested positive. With this, the total number of positive cases on Tuesday went upto 141. The numbers may rise further, as the results of some more tests were awaited. This information was disclosed by Suman Choudhury, District Media Expert.

Further, there were 2 more deaths in Cachar. As per reports, the two persons were infected with coronavirus. Speaking on this issue, Suman Choudhury said, “These two cases of death were referred to the State Death Audit Board. Once the report comes, only then we will be able to say whether the deaths were caused due to COVID-19 or due to co-morbidity.” One of the deceased were identified as Masuk Ahmed (21) from Balighat, while the identity of the other was yet to be confirmed.

The District Media Expert further said that the number of positive cases detected on Tuesday went up because the health department has stepped up Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) in market areas of Silchar and outskirts. More than 1000 rapid tests were done on Tuesday. Moreover, many people were also coming up spontaneously for getting tested. As more and more people were detected positive during RAT, so Mr. Choudhury appealed to the people to come for Rapid test prepared to immediately go to hospital/ Covid care centre directly from the screening centre, if detected positive.

As per the 1st slot of RTPCR Test, 14 persons were tested positive. Out of them, 5 of them were from 6th AP Battalion, Cachar. They were detected Assam Targeted Surveillance Programme (ATSP). Further, 02 persons also detected during ATSP were from Police Reserve Silchar. Also under ATSP, another two persons from Bilpar and Railway Colony were also tested positive during the day.

Two persons who came in direct contact with high risk lab confirmed case were detected positive on Tuesday. They are a 24-year-old male from Malugram and a 20-year-old female from Uttar Krishnapur Pt-III. Another 63 years old male from B.C. Gupta Road Malugram was tested positive after he exhibited Influenza Like Symptoms (ILI). Few others in the list were detected from Kanakpur Pt-2, Kachudaram and Kanaibazar.

In the 2nd slot of swab test results, there were particulars of two persons. One of them, a 20-year-old male from Borkhola had his present address at Pauls Restaurant & also written as Lab Technician, VRDL, Deptt of Microbiology, SMCH as against his name. He was detected as a patient with ILI symptoms. Another person from Natun Bazar in Sonai detected positive during the day is an air passenger from Patna.

The details of the 107 persons tested positive in Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) were not made available till the filing of this report. However, as per sources, former Municipal Chairperson Tamal Kanti Banik and his wife Sampa Banik have tested COVID-19 positive on Tuesday. Speaking to way2barak, Mr. Banik said, “Two of the staff of my shop were tested positive two days ago. After that, my family members went for Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on Tuesday. I and my wife were tested positive. We have applied for home isolation satisfying the conditions as asked by the administration. The health department were kind enough to allow us home isolation.” As per reports, both Tamal Kanti Banik and his wife Sampa Banik are stable.