Over 16,000 COVID-19 tests for priests & volunteers; 44 positive cases detected

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Health Department has carried out more than 16,000 COVID-19 tests for priests and volunteers of 3,570 Durga Puja pandals. The tests conducted on the day of Panchami in 31 districts had found 44 COVID- positive cases.

An official in the Health Department said that detection of COVID-positive cases among priests and volunteers was significant as it helped the department to isolate the infected persons during the Durga Puja celebrations. The development will also help in further spreading of the virus in post puja days, he said.

"We are planning to conduct similar tests after immersion of idols is completed. Immersion is expected to be completed by Tuesday. Tests are likely to be conducted on Wednesday," the official said.

Sources, however, said that the number of tests conducted on the day of Panchami could have been more. "Some puja committees particularly in Dhubri and Sonitpur districts refused to allow their priests and volunteers to undergo the COVID tests. However, the Health department will try hard to conduct tests on priests who were not tested on the day of Panchami," added the sources.

The priests and volunteers, who were already tested negative on the day of Panchami, will have to undergo the COVID test again after the idol-immersion process is completed.

"The COVID-19 positivity rate was constantly declining before the Durga Puja. Now we will have to wait and watch the COVID curve in the post-puja phase. If the curve doesn't rise in the next 15 days, we can say that Assam is quite safe from COVID," added a doctor at the Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH).