“We do not divide Assam according to Valley,” Himanta Biswa Sarma, “Kits available in Barak”

Since the last few days, the number of tests done in Cachar has dropped significantly. As per the official statement, ten days back, the administration was testing around 5,000 samples per day using the Rapid Antigen Test Kit. Cachar DC Keerthi Jalli had publically stated that the administration’s strategy to combat the COVID crisis is to test, detect, and isolate.

Following the same, the administration had launched a testing drive using mobile units across the district. The high number of tests yielded in the detection of more coronavirus infected patients. On August 13, 2020, the number of COVID19 positive patients stood at 307.

However, the testing spree slowed down and subsequently the detection. On August 22 (Saturday) 85 patients tested positive, whereas the number was 116 yesterday and today till 8:00 pm, as shared by the district administration, it stands at 133. The drop in the number of COVID positive cases resonates with the decline in the number of tests. Today, 846 samples were tested using Rapid Antigen Test Kit whereas the number was more than 3000 last Monday and close to 5,000 on the same day of the previous week.

The drop in the number of tests spurred up an argument across Barak Valley that the State government is saving its resources for Bramhaputra Valley depriving Barak of basic healthcare. Health Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma ruled out any discrimination and said, “We do not divide Assam according to Valley.”

Speaking with Barak Bulletin, the Health Minister assured that “RAT kits are is available in Barak Valley.” Adding, “There was a shortage in supply for two days in the entire state due to some problem of customs but now it is smooth.”

The Cachar administration did not share details on why the number of tests done per day is one-fifth of what it was 10 days back. When asked, the spokesperson of the administration replied, “There are some issues which will be sorted out very soon.” The spokesperson said he will only be able to talk about the details tomorrow.