Assam reports 15 COVID19 positive cases in under last 48 hours:

Guwahati, May 9: Assam has reported 15 positive cases for COVID19 in under 48 hours taking the state tally to 59.

Out of 16 new cases, 10 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported from Cachar district and five from Guwahati.

On Friday night, a girl student of Regional Dental College in Guwahati was tested positive for COVID-19.

Confirming the report, Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted – “One student of Regional Dental College, Kamrup Metro has tested #COVID19 positive. Total #COVID19 patients in Assam 59.”

Alert ~ One student of Regional Dental College, Kamrup Metro has tested #COVID19 positive.

↗️Total #COVID19 patients in Assam 59
↗️Active cases 24
↗️Discharged 34

Update at 11.55 pm / May 8#AssamCovidCount

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 8, 2020

The student of Regional Dental College was engaged in screening work at Guwahati Medical College Hospital since April 27.

Earlier, a post-graduate student of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital was tested COVID-19 positive.

On the other hand, 10 people who were returned from Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan to Silchar in Cachar district were tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the state government has declared Guwahati Medical College Hospital, Regional Dental College, Dr. B Barooah Cancer Hospital in Guwahati, and few areas in Guwahati and Cachar district as containment zone.

Assam has so far reported 59 positive cases for COVID-19 including 11 cases from Cachar district, nine cases from Golaghat district, six cases each from Morigaon, Goalpara districts, five cases each from Dhubri, Bongaigaon and Kamrup (Metro) districts, four cases from Nalbari district, two cases each from Karimganj and Kamrup districts and one each from South Salmara, Lakhimpur, Hailakandi and Kokrajhar district.

Deputy Commissioner transferred after 10 people tested positive for COVID-19 in last 48 hours in Assam’s Cachar district:

Guwahati, May 8: Assam government has transferred the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar district after 10 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the district in the last 48 hours.

10 people who returned from Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan to Silchar in Cachar district have been tested COVID-19 positive so far.

On Friday, five people who were traveling on the same bus from Rajasthan have been tested positive in the district.

According to the reports, around 43 people including several children had reached at Silchar on May 6 from Rajasthan and allegedly their screening was not properly done.

A notification issued by the Assam government on Friday stated that, Barnali Sarma, Deputy Commissioner is transferred and posted as Director of Employment & Craftsmen Training, effective from today.

Hailakandi district Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli will be the new Deputy Commissioner of the Cachar district.

In the same notification, the state government transferred Staff officer of Chief Secretary Megha Nidhi Dahal as the new Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi district and Director of Employment & Craftsmen Training Narayan Barua transferred and posted as Director of WPT & BC department.

Assam has reported 58 positive cases for COVID-19 so far.

16-year-old girl from Guwahati tested COVID19 positive after death

Guwahati, May 8: A 16-year-old girl, in a government-run hospital in Guwahati on Thursday has tested positive for COVID19 after death.

Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that, the girl hailing from the Lokhora area in the capital city of Assam died at Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Hospital (Institute).

“The girl was showing some symptoms of Coronavirus. She had leg pain and developed fever and the ESI hospital prescribed medication to her and she came to Dr. B Barooah Cancer Hospital to stay with her grandmother who is working as a casual employee at the hospital. During undergoing treatment her symptoms further developed and she died after vomiting. Following the incident, her samples were posthumously tested and resulted positive for COVID-19,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Earlier, a COVID-19 patient hailing from Hailakandi district died at Silchar Medical College Hospital.

On the other hand, a Post Graduate student of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital was tested positive for COVID-19.

The doctor hailing from South India was showing some symptoms and he was tested on Thursday and resulted positive.

The Assam Health minister said that, following the incidents, the state government has declared Guwahati Medical College, Dr. B Barooah Cancer Hospital as containment zones.

“We have quarantined 386 people including Guwahati Medical College Hospital’s Superintendent Dr. Ramen Talukdar, Deputy Superintendent and few other doctors,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Assam has reported 11 positive cases for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours including seven from Cachar district and four from Guwahati.

Assam government temporally close GMCH for new patients after a doctor tested COVID19 positive:

Guwahati, May 8: Assam government on Friday has temporarily closed Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) for new patients, after a doctor (PG student) of the government-run hospital tested positive for COVID19.

Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that, the state government has decided to close the hospital for new patients for the next few days.

“A PG student at Guwahati Medical College has tested COVID positive last night. Consequently we have to screen everyone who came in contact with him and sanitize the entire GMCH premises. As such we have to close the hospital for new patients for the next few days,” he tweeted.

Himanta Biswa Sarma also tweeted – “Although we are closing the hospital (GMCH) for new patients, special arrangements will be in place for patients already admitted and collection of new swab samples. Soliciting cooperation and understanding from all, in the interest of public safety.”

A PG student at Guwahti Medical College has tested COVID positive last night. Consequently we have to screen everyone who came in contact with him and sanitize the entire GMCH premises. As such we have to close the hospital for new patients for next few days.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 8, 2020

On Thursday, Assam had reported eight positive cases for COVID-19 including four from Guwahati and four from Cachar district.

One patient from Hailakandi district died, and 34 patients have been discharged from hospitals in the state.

With these new cases, the state tally has now increased to 53.

Assam reports eight fresh COVID-19 positive cases, state tally surge to 53:

Guwahati, May 7: Assam on Thursday has reported eight positive cases for COVID-19 taking the state tally surged to 53.

Four more persons coming from Rajasthan have tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam’s Cachar district on Thursday.

According to the reports, 35 adults and seven children were traveling from Rajasthan to Assam by a bus and one passenger named Faridul Islam was tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Four more persons who took the same from Rajasthan have been tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

On the other hand, another four persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Guwahati on Thursday.

Confirming the report, Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that, 4 persons in Guwahati tested positive for COVID-19.

“One of them came from outside of Assam and he is in-home quarantine. While three others in the capital city of Assam have also tested positive.

He tweeted – “4 persons in Guwahati test #COVID19 +ve. One of them have come from outside Assam, and is in hone quarantine, while 3 are from Guwahati. Northeast arrow#COVID19 patients in Assam now stands at 53.”

Assam has reported 53 positive cases for COVID-19 so far including nine cases from Golaghat district, six cases each from Morigaon and Goalpara districts, five cases each from Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Cachar and Kamrup (Metro) districts, four cases from Nalbari district, two cases from Karimganj and one each from South Salmara, Kamrup, Lakhimpur, Hailakandi and Kokrajhar district.

Out of these patients, one patient from Hailakandi district died and 34 others were discharged from the hospitals.

Assam has now 18 active positive cases for COVID-19.

Coronavirus lockdown: Assam declares school summer vacation till 31st of May

Guwahati, May 7: In the wake of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Assam government has declared school summer vacation and of all educational institutions of the state till 31st of May.

Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that, all educational institutions of the state remain closed duo to COVID-19 pandemic and the state Education Department has decided to declare this year’s summer vacation from May 1 to May 31.

Earlier, summer vacation used to be given in July.

The Assam minister also said that, to save the academic year of the students, the state government has planned to extend the academic year till March 31 this year.

“We propose that, the academic year will start from April 1 and it will end on March 31. We have sought suggestions on this regard from the academicians of the state,” Himanta Biswa Sarma.

On the other hand, the state government has decided to provide financial aid to the students who already returned or will return to Assam from the rest of the country.

“We will provide Rs 5000 each student who came from South and Western part of India, Rs 3000 each who come from North zone of the country and Rs 2000 each who come from East zone,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Assam minister also said that, the Class 10 and 12 examinations results will be declared in June and the mark sheets will be given digitally this year.

Assam Govt. will not arrange transport for migrants returning by roads:

Assam Govt. to not arrange transport for Migrants.

Guwahati, May 7: Amid controversy over stranded migrant laborers paying train fares for their return journey to the home state, the Assam government has decided not to arrange any transportation for the stranded people returning to the state by road till the border of the state.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) released by the state Health department for return of the people of Assam stranded in other parts of the country stated that – “Government of Assam will allow the return of residents of Assam stranded in various parts of India in a staggered/ phased manner after ensuring that there is proper screening of these residents.

“Till announced otherwise, no transportation arrangements will be made in the initial period by Government of Assam for travel till the border of Assam. The returnees will avail of available transport facilities i.e. public transportation or will arrange their cars, taxis, etc. to travel. The public transport of other States will not be allowed to enter Assam,” said in the SOP of Health department.

The SOP also stated that, Transport department, ASTC will make arrangements for public transportation from the border points to screening centers and then onwards to the district HQs. The district administration will make arrangements for transportation of the persons from district HQ to their residences. All safety protocols for travel by vehicles laid down by MHA will be in force.

On the other hand, Assam Transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that, the state government is following the norms and directives given by the MHA.

“We have given first preference to the patients, pilgrims, and students. If somebody wants to come back to Assam with the own vehicles or other own arrangements, then we will allow them,” Chandra Mohan Patowary said.

He further said that, the Assam government has already requested the center to provide trains for the people of Assam stranded in different parts of the country.

“The center is likely to provide us seven trains. Over 6 lakh migrant workers from Assam are still stranded in many parts of the country. It is not possible to bring all the migrant workers to Assam,” the Assam minister said.