163 positive so far in Cachar today, 1 dead in last 24 hours; number of tests done drops to one-fifth

The district health department has informed that today, 163 individuals have tested positive in Cachar. The spokesperson of the health department shared that 1028 samples were tested today.

The number of tests done per day, 10-days back, was more than 5000. At that point in time, 300 people were testing positive per 5000 tests. Now 163 samples are testing positive per 1000 tests which implies to 815 per 5000 tests, a close to 3x rise from what it was 10 days back.

While this is an alarming sign, there is no clarity on why the number of tests in Cachar has dopped to one-fifth of what it was. Especially when the roads are more crowded, more people visiting the markets and more shops remaining open. The Health Minister of Assam informed that an adequate number of Rapid Antigen Test Kits are available in all three districts of Barak Valley. However, the spokesperson of the district administration dillydallied whenever a question regarding fewer tests was raised.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, vice-principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital informed that 24 patients took admission to the COVID wards in SMCH while 16 got discharged after they recovered. In the last 24 hours, Gupta said, “one died in the COVID block.”

He added that 16 patients are in ICU while 14 are in critical condition.