GUWAHATI: As a crucial step towards combating COVID-19 effectively in the State, Assam Health Department is launching Assam Targeted Surveillance Program (ATSP) from June 17. The programme aims to conduct more than 50,000 random tests in a week’s time, targeting vulnerable areas, informed health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma through his social media accounts.
Under ATSP, the health department will collect samples of people working in locations such as truck parking places, loading and unloading centres, godown areas, weigh bridges, dhabas etc. Staff of hotels used as institutional quarantine will also be tested. Frontline officials including police personnel will be tested during this period.
ATSP will also cover the family members, co-residents of homes of persons who have been released from the institutional quarantine. The exercise that is expected to finish by June 27, will involve the respective deputy commissioners (DCs) who will ensure the availability of adequate facilities.
In order to facilitate people to get themselves tested, in case required, without having to visit hospitals, the government has decided to open the several health facilities where swab collection for COVID-19 will be done free of cost.
4/4 In order to facilitate people to get themselves tested, in case required, without having to visit hospitals, we have decided to open the following health facilities where swab collection for #Covid19 will be done Free of Cost. pic.twitter.com/V7g4OvQeif
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 15, 2020
