With a large number of cases being reported from the Sarusajai quarantine centre, it seems to be turning into a hotbed of coronavirus. Earlier, Tablighi Jamaat and Fancy Bazar were termed as coronavirus hotbeds.
After Tablighi Jamaat and Fancy Bazaar Aloo Godaam, Sarusajai Quarantine Centre has emerged as a hotbed of coronavirus. A majority of the latest cases of coronavirus in Assam have been reported from the quarantine centre. The spike in cases was witnessed after Assam allowed for inter-state movement of citizens.
Assam recorded the highest one-time spike in cases of coronavirus on May 23 after 53 persons were reported Covid-19 positive.
Out of the 53 new cases confirmed in Assam, 44 have been identified to be from the Sarusajai Quarantine Centre; 7 of these cases are from Dima Hasao District whereas 2 others are from Cachar.
State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to inform about the massive rise. This is the highest spike of coronavirus positive cases witnessed in Assam so far in one day.
With this the total number of cases in Assam has gone up to 319 with 258 active cases; 4 deaths have been recorded till date in the state. Further, 3 persons have migrated to other states.
Assam reported the first case of coronavirus on March 31, more than a month after the deadly virus made its way to India. It took Assam close to 50 days to reach the 100 mark, with the 100th case being reported on May 18. However, it only took three days for Assam's Covid-19 tally to double and it reached 200 on May 21. In less than 48 hours, the state of Assam reported crossing the 300 mark.
Appraising the citizens of the situation, health and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "In view of the rising number, I earnestly request you to stay at home and follow social distancing and hygiene norms."
As authorities have just begun easing the lockdown measures in the state, many opine that lockdown relaxation may have contributed to the increase in coronavirus cases.
"The situation is getting grim. Rethinking on new strategy from the government is the need of the hour," opined Biswapriya Syam, a resident of Assam.
Similarly, another citizen said, "It's high time to implement a strict lockdown. When there were 4/5 case then strict lockdown and when there is increase in cases lockdown is only for name. No idea what the government’s ideas and plans are."
It should be mentioned that with the increasing number of cases of coronavirus in the state capital Guwahati, new areas are being declared containment zones. On May 19, the district administration declared parts of Fatasil and Bhootnath as containment zones. On May 22, a part of Tarun Nagar on GS Road was declared containment zone.
Earlier, some localities of Rukminigaon, Fancy Bazar, Fatasil Ambari, Shantipur, Kumarpara and Railway Colony were declared containment zones.
The staff quarters of Dr B Barooah Cancer Hospital (BBCI), two hostels (no. 1 and 5) of GMCH, Spanish Garden and Amiyo Nagar in Guwahati too had been declared as containment zones earlier but the orders have been withdrawn.
Assam begins 'ruthless quarantine': Govt to spend Rs 20,000 per person under quarantine
The Assam government has adopted a new policy - 'Ruthless quarantine with a human heart' - to ensure people stay in quarantine for 14 days without fail.
“The government will not compromise on the mandatory 14-day quarantine and we are saying ruthless because any person, however influential or powerful he may be, has to stay in quarantine. We will take care of them with a human heart and provide them with food and bed to the best of our capabilities. Criminal cases will be initiated against anyone found jumping quarantine,” state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, announcing the policy of May 21.
As such, the government has decided to finance all expenses of people under quarantine - be it home quarantine, facility quarantine or hotel quarantine.
It has been mandated for people coming from outside the state to spend seven days in institutional quarantine, either in temporary facilities or in hotels, depending upon vacancies. They will be allowed to go home after seven days, provided the person tests negative. From the institutional facility, the person has to spend another seven days in home quarantine along with his family members at home.
For people staying in hotels for quarantine purpose, the government has decided to pay Rs 2,000 per day as room rent and Rs 500 per day as food cost for 7 days.
After 7 nights in facility, people will have to go for home quarantine, and the whole family will be quarantined. For this period of 7 days, the government will give additional Rs 2,000.
Further, Rs 500 will be given for necessities like soap.
"After being provided with so much support, nobody is allowed to break quarantine rules," said Himanta Biswa Sarma.
He added that the respective deputy commissioners of each district have been ordered to implement the policy and non-bailable criminal cases will be filed against people who refuse to follow the instructions.
