Assam Health Department starts random COVID testing, 1 lakh test everyday

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Health Department has started conducting random COVID-19 test across the State in view of increasing number of positive cases. It has targeted to conduct 1 lakh tests every day and the drive will continue till Wednesday.

State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that "I am in awe of my team for having relentlessly done an incredible job- be it of containment, communication or tracing and tracking. Today itself they carried out 1,20,228 tests."

Apart from conducting an antigen test and RT-PCR test, the team of appointed personnel will also be conducting contract tracing of positive patients.During testing, one, who will be found positive will be traced by another testing of 10 persons (family members and very close persons of the family) and another 10 persons from his/her work place or as identified buy him/her. Thus, total 20 person will be traced and tested and treated, as per need.

Random testing has also started in Guwahati. An order issued by the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Kamrup (M) District stated, "In view of the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in Kamrup Metropolitan District and also as per the directive of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Assam and in the interest of containment of COVID-19 and maintenance of public health and hygiene, an intensive COVID-19 testing arrangement has been initiated w.e.f. 28th September to 30th September 2020 in the Kamrup Metropolitan District. Accordingly, all State Government Offices including Educational Establishments, Central Government Offices including Educational Establishments, Public Undertakings under Central and State Governments, Shops and Commercial Establishments including Malls and Warehouses, Residential Apartments and individual households, other public and private offices and agencies are directed to cooperate with the teams deputed from the COVID-19 Counselling Centres under District Administration and Health & Family Welfare Department without any conditions for carrying out of Rapid Antigen Test and RT-PCR Test on the said dates."

Any obstruction and violation of this order will attract punitive action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and Epidemic Control Act of India, 1897.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has tweeted that the State has conducted 1,20,228 random test on Monday itself. "Next two days also we will conduct 1 lakh plus tests," he said.

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