'COVID rate will come down to 2 or 3 percent': Assam Health Department

"If the rate slides to 2 to 3 per cent by August 15, the State could be considered safe from COVID-19. By that time the number of positive cases is expected to stand in between 62,000 and 65,000," a Health department official said. With six deaths, the total COVID toll in the State is 132. In the past 24 hours 442 cases were detected in Kamrup (M), 265 in Kamrup, 250 in Cachar and 172 in Nagaon.

Even though the positive cases are rising in other districts, especially in Upper Assam, the rate of COVID positive cases is declining in Guwahati. The State Health department is, however, continuing its rapid test drive in different parts of the city including apartments. The department has set a target of conducting 1 lakh tests across the State on a single day on August 12.

"The key is testing. We need to do more and more tests. Of course, by testing more we will get more patients, but that is how we can contain the virus," said a Health department official, adding that the only worrying factor is that the people are still not coming out voluntarily for the rapid COVID test.

The Health official said till a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19 infection is invented the people will have to follow social distancing norms, wearing masks, hand wash and avoiding crowded places. "But a section of people of the State have become complacent in adhering to COVID protocols and taken casual approach in public places," the official said.

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