Assam has managed to procure one lakh  N95 masks so far: Himanta Biswa Sarma 

GUWAHATI: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state has so far been able to procure one lakh N95 masks.

Sarma has also said that 15 people with Nizamuddin connection yet to be traced in Assam.

So far 16 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Assam.

Meanwhile, the Central government is placing orders with companies for supply of ventilators and Agva Healthcare and Bharat Electronics will supply 40,000 ventilators used for coronavirus patients.

A statement by the Health Ministry said domestic manufacturer AgVa Healthcare in Noida has been able to develop suitable ventilators and order of 10,000 ventilators has been placed.

Supplies are expected to commence by the second week of April. In addition, an order for 30,000 ventilators has been placed to Bharat Electronics Limited which is going to collaborate with domestic manufacturers in this endeavour. Indian auto manufacturers are also preparing to manufacture ventilators, the statement said.

Orders have also been placed with international companies like Hamilton, Mindray and Draeger to supply ventilators. Ministry of External Affairs is also approaching suppliers in China for sourcing 10,000 ventilators from them.

Ventilators are required for Covid-19 patients, as they tend to develop acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS). Less than 20 Covid-19 patients are on ventilator support at this moment. As against this, over 14,000 ventilators have been identified in various hospitals across the country for treatment of Covid-19 patients.

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