Coronavirus in Assam? Govt Confirms 55 People Observed for Symptoms

Guwahati, March 4, 2020:

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has confirmed that no less than 55 people who had come from China were observed for symptoms of the deadly coronavirus.

Stating this on the floor of the Assembly, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that while 46 cases are being surveilled by authorities, 9 of the suspected coronavirus carriers are being monitored from home. However, there are no confirmed cases so far, the Minister confirmed, while adding that two persons have been admitted to the GMCH isolation ward. However, the results have been tested "negative", he further informed.

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Informing this to the media amid the ongoing Assembly session, Assam Minister Pijusg Hazarika said that all were international tourists who were detected during screenings at the airport and were subsequently "contained".

Considering the seriousness accorded to coronavirus accorded by the international community, the Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika said that the Government has taken steps to ensure that the virus is kept at bay.

"There are isolation wards, and many have been assigned for the purpose of monitoring", Hazarika told mediapersons.

If there is any possibility of coronavirus being spread by holi colours, the Assam Government says that it will take strict "restrictions" to ensure that the deadly virus is not transmitted.

Coronavirus, that was first detected in China's Wuhan, has now been detected in several countries. In Italy, no less than 72 people have reportedly died from the disease. In Washington State, the death toll has climbed to 9, merely days after the first case was detected.

Meanwhile, World health officials say the mortality rate for COVID-19 is 3.4% globally, higher than previous estimates of about 2%.

Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s health emergencies program, said Monday that the coronavirus isn’t transmitting the same exact way as the flu and health officials have been given a “glimmer, a chink of light” that the virus could be contained.

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