28 more coronavirus positive cases; total 188 in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With the detection of 28 more corona positive cases in Assam on Wednesday, the total number of such cases in the State has risen to 188.

One person was confirmed positive from the Karimganj Quarantine Centre. Eleven of the 13 other persons who were found COVID positive on Wednesday, had arrived in Assam from other States of the country recently. Of these 13 persons detected corona positive in institutional quarantine, eight are from Hojai, two from Sonitpur and one each from Kamrup (M), Kamrup and Nagaon. A tweet from Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday night confirmed 14 other cases from among those at Sarusajai Quarantine Centre.

Now active cases are 130; deaths: 04; migrated: 03: recovered: 48.

Talking to the media here on Wednesday, State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The number of COVID-19 positive cases will keep rising as long as trains keep on bringing the stranded people of Assam from other States. It's a challenge for us.

"Even as corona positive cases are rising in the State, I would stop short of calling it community transmission as most of the cases are detected in institutional quarantine. However, if people now in home quarantine in rural areas in the State violate the quarantine protocol, community transmission will be a reality. To prevent such a possibility, we've formed committees with Goan Burhas in rural areas and with Nagarik Samitis in urban areas to check violation of quarantine rules by those in home quarantine," the Minister said.

Sarma further added, "Two days back, three patients fled the quarantine centre at Sarusajai in Guwahati. They are Hamidul Ahmed and Sahjahal Ali of Nalbari and Saidul Alom of Hojai. However, the police have arrested the three. They are admitted in hospital. Since they've violated the Disaster Management Act, FIRs have been lodged against them. Legal process will be initiated against them when they will be released from the hospital after their recovery." 

Also Read: Assam COVID-19 Cases Rise to 185; Fourteen more test Positive