Covid-19: Guwahati registers nearly 1,000 cases in a single day, positivity rate reaches 7.44%

Guwahati: In spite of ongoing lockdowns and continuing curfews, the coronavirus numbers are continuing to surge at an unprecedented rate across the state of Assam, with 3,555 more cases registered on Wednesday (September 9) alone.

Somewhat worryingly, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the state is continuing to rise across the state and has now reached 7.44%, a dramatic rise compared to earlier levels (it used to hover near the 3% mark).

Although Assam on August 12 recorded the highest single-day surge in coronavirus cases at 4,593, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that it was the outcome of over 1.43 lakh tests done across the state on Wednesday with a positivity rate of 3.2%. "We have been continuously stepping up our Covid-19 testing. In the last 24 hours, Assam carried out 143,109 tests. So far, we have conducted 1,573,800 tests," the minister tweeted that day.

Yesterday, however, 'only' 47,744 tests were conducted. Sarma had recently opined that the fall in the number of tests is because of a lack of testing kits. He has also recently come forward with the declaration that the rise in cases is due to negligence in wearing face covers or masks.

Meanwhile, the urban district of Kamrup (M), where weekend lockdowns and night curfews are still in force, is witnessing massive surges of the virus, with the cumulative total of 924 cases on Wednesday a worrying sign. The district's main city of Guwahati, as well as adjoining areas, have only just emerged from one of the most stringent lockdowns, and this recent boom in cases will once again shift the discussion towards yet another lockdown.

In fact, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, the Chief Secretary of the state, has already hinted that if people do not strictly adhere to the rule of donning face covers and the cases continue to soar, the Government's hand will be forced once again and another set of curbs shall be imposed.

At the same time, Assam's health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the rising demand for oxygen could put the government on a sticky wicket if the cases in the state continue to rise along with the rising number of 'critical' patients in the state.

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