STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Dispur has swung into action to deal with the fresh wave of COVID-19 infections in the State.
Health & Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while speaking to reporters on Sunday said that the State had recorded 876 COVID-19 positive cases on Saturday and thus it is time for the government to take measures to keep the situation under control.
Sarma, who visited the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) at Pan Bazar on Sunday afternoon, said the hospital would be converted into a full-fledged Covid hospital from Tuesday. He said barring the maternity ward patients of all other departments in MMCH would be shifted to the Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH).
The Health Minister said the Sarusojai stadium, Nehru stadium, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Mirza, MSME-Technology Centre at Amingaon, Singimari Hospital, Kalitakuchi Hospital and Rahman Paramedics at Six Mile would be converted into the COVID hospitals. He said the government is also planning to create COVID Care Centres at Khanpara and Palasbari.
Even though the government has no plan to impose lockdown and night curfew, Sarma said there is a need to increase the number of hospital beds in the city and other parts of the State. He said the government is also taking measures to minimize crowds at public places in the State.
"We are coming out with an order authorizing the deputy commissioners to cancel Bihu functions and other events in case the number of COVID-19 positive cases has crossed 300 in their respective districts. The order in this regard will be issued on Monday (April 19, 2021)," Sarma said.
The Health Minister asserted that the State is well-equipped to deal with the fresh COVID-19 infections. He said the State has daily capacity of 300 metric tonnes of oxygen, 12,000 Remdesivir injections and 5.98 COVID vaccines.