"Number of Covid 19+ve cases could reach double digits in Assam today," Himanta Biswa Sarma

In a press conference, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that four more individuals tested positive today in Assam. Sarma said that all four of them had attended the religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi. The four of them are,  Md Arsad Ali Nalbari 19 years old, Md Hazrat Ali of Jagi Road, 60-years-old, Md Nuruddin Jagi Road 55-year-old and Md Jonabali of Jagi Road, 47-year-old.

Sarma confirmed that Jamal Uddin of Karimganj also got infected at the Markaz where he stayed for a number of days. Sarma shared his assessment and said that the number of Covid19 positive cases will rise significantly. “There were a few cases that turned out to be positive at a screening level, but we cannot confirm them yet as we are awaiting confirmation from NIV Pune. My assessment is that we will reach double digits today,” said Sarma.

Sarma said all five of them who tested positive in Assam had hidden their medical complications and did not volunteer for tests. “The team on the ground reached out to them after Central Government shared the list and then we collected samples. Following the test we found that they are positive,” said Sarma.

Sharing more about Srigouri resident Jamal Uddin who was tested positive yesterday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital had visited Cachar Cancer Hospital. “It is not known to us why Cachar Cancer Hospital did not inform the administration about the patient’s medical condition despite having Covid19 symptoms,” said Sarma.

Sarma said unless the patient is suffering from confidential diseases like HIV, it is important to disclose the names so that the people who came in contact with them can voluntarily call the helpline number and extend support to the administration. “There is no reason one must hide this disease, it has no stigma attached to it. Instead, people who are hiding should know that they are spreading it among friends and family,” said Sarma.

Sharing details about the number of people from Assam who attended the Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi, Sarma said that Assam Government has received a list of 456 people from the Central Government who were in and around the place where the religious congregation took place.  Sarma said that out of that list, Assam government has verified that a few names especially that of non-muslims got included because they traveled across nearby streets. The list was prepared by tracking locations through mobile towers.

Sarma added that the Assam government found 68 people have not returned back to the state. So the administration identified 347 such individuals who had direct connections with Nizamuddin Markaz and needed to be traced. “Out of which 196 samples have been collected and the results are awaited. The sample collection process is on and we request everyone to volunteer by dialing the helpline.”

In his appeal to the people of Assam, Sarma asked each and everyone to follow the lockdown protocols for their own safety. “The individuals from Jagi Road, who were tested positive at GMCH were roaming around with cold and cough. They have come in contact with so many others, in fact, the local MLA saw them selling stuff in the marketplace too. It is important to understand that the situation in Assam is critical and therefore we must all follow the lockdown protocols very carefully,” said Sarma.