Coronavirus Assam: One COVID-19 death has been reported from the northeastern state (File)
Guwahati: Two senior officials in Assam's Morigaon district, who were quarantined after they came in contact with a COVID-19 patient, have tested negative for the deadly virus. Samples were taken from the officials - Deputy Commissioner and a Superintendent of Police - and the results were disclosed today by Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Twitter.
On Thursday the district had reported two fresh COVID-19 cases; both were secondary contacts of a patient who had returned from a religious gathering held by Islamic sect Tablighi Jamaat at Delhi's Markaz Nizamuddin last month.
The senior officials met the COVID-19 patient at a gathering in the Bhurbandha Lahorighat area of the district on March 31, before the novel coronavirus infection was confirmed.
"The Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Morigaon district have been sent to quarantine as they came in contact with a coronavirus positive patient," Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Assam Health Minister had tweeted.
Apart from Deputy Commissioner Rituraj Bora and Superintendent of Police Swapnil Deka, a group of journalists have also been quarantined; the reporters had met the officials at the district hospital earlier.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Assam is now 34, with one death linked to the virus. Five have been discharged after receiving treatment. Morigaon district has reported six cases so far and has been declared a coronavirus hotspot.
Assam has moved to boost health infrastructure and reserves of medical staff and equipment ahead of an explosion of COVID-19 cases in the state.
On Wednesday night it became the first state to receive PPE (personal protection equipment) kits from China; a cargo plane carrying 50,000 kits flew from directly from Guangzhou to Guwahati.
The state government has set itself a target of two lakh PPE kits, health department sources said. Before the flight from China, the state had around one lakh, and before the coronavirus outbreak, it had just 10.
Among other steps taken so far are transforming two stadiums, including the Saru Sojai Stadium in Guwahati, into makeshift quarantine facilities with a total of 2,000 beds and ensuring that all 33 districts have designated treatment centres for coronavirus patients.
India has over 11,000 active COVID-19 cases so far, with 437 deaths linked to the virus. 1,749 people have been discharged after receiving treatment.
World
67,69,38,430Cases
62,55,71,965Active
4,44,81,893Recovered
68,84,572Deaths
Coronavirus has spread to 200 countries. The total confirmed cases worldwide are 67,69,38,430 and 68,84,572 have died; 62,55,71,965 are active cases and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 10:54 am.
India
4,50,19,214 475Cases
3,919 -83Active
4,44,81,893 552Recovered
5,33,402 6Deaths
In India, there are 4,50,19,214 confirmed cases including 5,33,402 deaths. The number of active cases is 3,919 and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 8:00 am.
State & District Details
With input from PTI