Covid positivity: Assam surpasses national rate by two-fold

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Covid-19 positivity rate in Assam is twice the rate at the national level. The rapid rise in the Covid positivity rate in the state has worried Health Minister Keshab Mahanta. However, the department is yet to do anything tangible to keep the virus at bay.

The Covid-19 positivity rate in Assam was 7.54 per cent on Tuesday against 3.35 per cent at the all-India level. For the last seven days, the average Covid positivity rate in the state was 5.92 per cent against 3.30 per cent at the national level.

Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said, "The rising Covid positivity rate in the state is worrisome. As we conduct fewer tests, the new cases are also fewer in the state. The more tests we conduct, the more the number of new cases will be."

According to official sources, the medical fraternity detected 298 new cases in the state last week. "Since the focus is on floods, doctors and health officials are busy with the flood-affected people. It is problematic to carry out any special drive for Covid tests now. However, sooner than later, we will start a special Covid testing drive," an official said.

The official added, "The Union Health Ministry has advised us to make adequate publicity and arrangement for testing across multiple locations in the state. Most of the newly detected Covid cases are in Guwahati. We need to carry out awareness and Covid testing drive in Guwahati immediately. Since the government machinery is preoccupied with floods, the public should remain alert and take preventive measures."

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