GUWAHATI: Assam health and finance minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday visited various places of western Assam’s Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts to check the preparedness against COVID-19. Minister Sarma accompanied by his deputy Pijush Hazarika, Assam tourism minister Chandan Brahma, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary and Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary visited the under construction quarantine site at Kokrajhar.
Sarma expressed hope that the 1000-bed quarantine centre would bolster the state government’s fight against COVID-19. Earlier on Friday, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that surveillance in Kokrajhar district will be intensified in Kokrajhar district as it shares border with West Bengal. The number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing rapidly in the neighboring state which has raised concerns in Kokrajhar and Dhubri district in western Assam.
According to the information by union ministry of health and family welfare, as of now total 571 COVID-19 cases have been reported from West Bengal. Among them 103 people recovered and 18 died. The situation in the state is becoming grim as new cases are being detected every day. On the other hand, many media reports raise questions on West Bengal’s handling of the pandemic.
Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, in a letter to West Bengal chief secretary Rajiva Sinha asked the state administration to cooperate with the centre in the fight against Covid-19. Amid such controversy, the Assam Government decided to keep strong surveillance along the Assam-West Bengal border.
On the other hand, Assam health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma also visited Chapar in Dhubri district. Three locations under Dhubri district—Dhubri, Chapar and Bilasipara have been chosen for random testing on Sunday. The swabs of 150 random people will be tested at Fakhrudiin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital at Barpeta.
Dhubri district has been classified under COVID-19 Red Zone as the district has reported total 5 COVID-19 cases. All the 5 cases from the district are directly or indirectly related to Tablighi Jamat at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi and the religious congregation at Athgaon Kabristan Masjid in Guwahati.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons, minister Sarma stated that 3 COVID-19 patients from Dhubri are likely to be discharged soon from the hospital.
Visited the under construction quarantine site at Kokrajhar along with MoS @Pijush_hazarika, Min Chandan Brahma, BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary & MP @DaimaryMp. Likely to be ready soon, this 1000-bed quarantine centre shall bolster our preparedness. #AssamCares pic.twitter.com/CxwSO1rjMm
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 25, 2020
