Guwahati: Bhaskar Phukan, the Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar, Assam, has ordained the closure of the DC office for 3 days after a peon working in the complex tested positive for the dreaded COVID-19 virus on Thursday, July 23.
Talking to The Sentinel Digital, Phukan stated, "A Development branch peon tested positive for the COVID-19 virus yesterday and he was immediately taken to a hospital in the Serfanguri locality for his treatment. We had all had our swab samples taken a few days ago and tested negative. However, the result of this particular peon was delayed and when it did come, it came to light that he is a carrier of the virus. Thus, we have decided to contain the office premises for 3 days as a precautionary measure."
The Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner further informed that the contact tracing procedure has already started. "The Deputy Commissioner office is large premises and all manner of employees are there. We will zero in on the people who might have had contact with this particular fellow -- primarily from the development branch -- and get them all tested for the virus. We have not hit panic mode as an employee had tested COVID-19 positive", Phukan said.
Phukan also said that a house guard at his residence has also tested positive for the virus. "However, hardly anyone has come in contact with this COVID-19 positive man. I live alone with a cook, and we have not been in touch with him. He too has been sent for his treatment to a hospital", Phukan added.
Phukan further informed that as of yet, the COVID-19 situation in Kokrajhar is "not alarming". "We have 321 positive cases of the COVID-19 in Kokrajhar district, which is not very alarming when you take the pan-Assam numbers into consideration. However, it is the need of the hour to follow the prescribed guidelines such as wearing of masks and practicing of social distancing -- steps that should be able to keep the virus at bay."