After six months, COVID revisits Assam

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: After six months, COVID-19 has made its reappearance in the state. Within the last week, two COVID-19 cases have been detected in the state. An infected person came to the state from Maharashtra. A Guwahati-based person has also tested COVID-19 positive.

According to state health officials, there is no reason to panic, as the spread of the virus in the state is not like the way it is in Maharashtra, Telengana, and Gujarat. The sources, however, said that remaining alert is a must. “Tests may detect more COVID-19 cases in the state. Testing centres were stopped after the fall in the occurrence of the virus,” a source said, and added, “The Union Health Ministry has already instructed all states to strengthen surveillance measures.”

According to sources, since travel from Maharashtra and other COVID-infected states is a continuous process, more infected people may come to the state and spread the virus. There is no COVID test in railway stations. Random COVID checking of foreigners is still going on. However, domestic air passengers do not undergo such tests.

According to sources, the public in Assam has given up the practice of the COVID-19 protocol, like wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance, etc. The use of mask in crowded places should be strict, the sources said.

A senior doctor said, “The fresh COVID-19 cases show the infection of the XBB.1.16 variant. With almost all eligible people taking double vaccines and over 33 lakh people taking the third dose, besides the presence of fully equipped hospitals with medicines, equipment, and oxygen stocks, there is no reason for the public to be panicked. However, precautionary measures are a must to avoid restrictions in the event of the spread of the virus.”

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