After a sudden spike in September, the Covid-19 positivity rate in Assam has declined this month, prompting Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to say that the pandemic curve is flattening out in the state.
“In September, the positivity rate reached 8% of the total samples analyzed. But since last week, it has dropped below 5% and on Monday, when we conducted more than a lakh of tests, the rate was only 1.41%, ”Sarma told reporters at a press conference.
As of Monday, Assam’s Covid-19 count was 195,304 cases with 166,036 recoveries and 826 deaths. The recovery rate in the state is 85% and the mortality rate is 0.42%.
As of Monday, nearly 39.50 lakh of samples had been tested statewide and the total test per million is 115,179. The case duplication rate has dropped to 46.4 days today.
“If we can stay alert for the next few days, we can say that the Covid-19 curve in Assam has started to flatten out for the first time. If all the guidelines are followed during the next Durga Puja season and there is no substantial increase in cases, it would be significant, ”said Sarma.
The minister said that while 826 people have been declared dead due to Covid-19 to date by the death audit board (DAB), nearly 1,000 more have died in the state due to complications or illnesses post-Covid and non-accidents. related to disease.
“We expect to receive the first set of Covid vaccines between January and July of next year. Frontline workers and seniors over 60 would be the first beneficiaries. More than one vaccine is expected to be available at that time, ”Sarma said.
The minister also announced a new set of guidelines to be followed during the Durga Puja festivities that begin next week.
They include mandatory permission from district authorities to organize the puja, the construction of airy and spacious pandals with separate entry and exit points, and mandatory Covid-19 testing for priests before and after the puja festivities.
“Anyone entering the puja venues will have to wear masks and disinfect their hands and no more than 50 people will be allowed in the pandals at a time,” Sarma said.
“Puja mandaps will have to close at 10 pm, men will not be allowed to travel as a passenger during the festival, cultural programs or competitions will not be allowed, but the aarti can be performed at the pandals,” he added.
Other guidelines include closing restaurants at 9 p.m. during the holiday season, banning mass idol dives, as well as banning processions carrying idols.
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