Amid COVID-19 surge in Assam, CM Sonowal bats for "alertness" to defeat virus

Guwahati: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday reviewed the COVID-19 scenario in Assam with his colleagues Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chandramohan Patowary, Phani Bhusan Choudhury and other senior officials. Sonowal, after reviewing the situation and the alarming rise in the number of cases, said that it is imperative for all the citizens to "be alert, take preventive measures and follow the Government's guidelines" to check spread of the contagion.

Sonowal was informed that the rate of positive cases out of total daily tests conducted in Guwahati has decreased from 36% to 16% due to the imposition of lockdown measures in the capital. "I thank Guwahatians, civil administration and Assam Police for their cooperation and dedicated efforts", Sonowal wrote in a tweet.

"I have directed officials concerned to ensure availability of all essential commodities to the general public in Guwahati and provide necessary help to the poor. Once again, I request everyone to cooperate with the Government in defeating COVID-19", Sonowal said.

Earlier in the day, the Assam Chief Minister reached out to his Meghalaya counterpart to discuss transportation issues amid the pandemic situation. The Meghalaya CM assured Sonowal of the smooth movement of essential goods and medicinal items from Guwahati to Barak Valley and other Northeast Indian states via Meghalaya.

On Tuesday, as many as 814 new COVID-19 cases were detected in Assam, with 588 of those being from Guwahati City. On the same day, two people in the state also passed away from virus-related complications. However, the number of casualties on Wednesday has even surpassed Tuesday's numbers.

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