Assam: 5 more police personnel test COVID-19 positive

Guwahati: Amid a dramatic surge in the number of COVID-19 cases across Assam, at least 5 more police personnel -- from Mankachar and Rangia -- have tested COVID-19 positive, reports said.

Two officials from the Mancachar police station and one from the South Salmara Police Station have been infected in the line of duty, said reports. In Mancachar, a tea-stall vendor who delivers tea to police officials also tested positive for the virus. In the crisis period, the COVID-19 affected vendor was also doubling as a health care worker. 

According to reports, all the COVID-19 positive patients have been admitted to the Hatsingimari Civil Hospital for treatment. Similarly, in Rangia, a police officer and APTF jawan have also tested positive for the virus after samples of 11 personnel were collected on June 28. These patients have been admitted to the Patanjali COVID-19 Hospital in Mirza that became operational yesterday.

These cases have been reported at a time when a great many people associated with essential services such as doctors, nurses, and security personnel have fallen under the grasp of the dreaded virus. ADGP G P Singh, taking to Twitter on June 28, informed that 44 police personnel have already tested positive. "Continuing to serve the people of Assam during Covid pandemic, 44 Assam Police personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 till June 28th, 2020. 1127 personnel are under quarantine. They are all in high spirits", Singh wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in the state have continued to soar upwards at an unprecedented rate since June, even as the Central Government is struggling to keep a check on the number of cases in the 'Unlock' phase of its strategy to deal with the pandemic. On Monday alone, Assam witnessed 572 more COVID-19 cases, out of which 380 are from Guwahati alone.

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