Guwahati: With the number of COVID-19 deaths in Assam starting to rise at a dramatic rate, the State Government has decided to spend up to Rs. 5,000 for the cremation of each COVID-19 positive casualty "if the relatives do not receive the body or they cannot bear the cremation expenses."
This step has reportedly been taken by the state health department after Deputy Commissioners of Assam districts conveyed "difficulties" in regards to the cremation of deceased persons who had been infected with the novel coronavirus.
"In view of the difficulties communicated by Deputy Commissioners regarding cremation of COVID positive patients, it is decided that expenditure upto Rs. 5,000 will be allowed in each case of death of each COVID positive patient, towards cremation expenses, if the relatives do not receive the body or they cannot bear the cremation expenses. Fund for this purpose by NHM, Assam," read a notification undersigned by Samir K Sinha, the Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Health and Family Welfare Department.
With health facilities in the state stretched to the max in view of the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, the number of casualties in Assam has started to mount rapidly. The death of 18 more people on Friday sent the number of COVID-19 fatalities in the state soaring up to 414.
Meanwhile, the rising COVID-19 positivity rate has given rise to worry in Assam, where the health minister has proclaimed that 75,000 fresh cases will be added each month till November. On Thursday, Assam detected 2,739 COVID-19 cases out of 35,369 tests done in the last 24 hours, with the positivity rate at 7.74%. Kamrup (M), the most densely populated district in the state registered the highest number of cases at 646.