Poll-bound Assam to ramp up Covid tests amid renewed virus fears

GUWAHATI: In the wake of a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, Assam will double the number of tests from next week, while the new daily vaccination target will be increased to 1 lakh.

At present, less than 20,000 Covid tests are being done daily in Assam.

The number of average vaccination targets achieved has been 15,000 a day.

On March 23, a mega vaccination drive will be held in Assam, where 1.5 lakh people are likely to be inoculated on a single day at around 2,000 sites.

“From next week, we have decided to increase the number of daily tests to 40,000. Simultaneously, a target has been set to achieve one lakh vaccination target daily,” National Health Mission, Assam, director, Lakshmanan S, said on Thursday.

 

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It needs mention here that in a video conference on Wednesday chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a cautious note to election-bound Assam.

Officials in the state health department said that a fresh SOP will come out soon, to gear up testing and streamlining other modalities.

According to reports, some of the airports have discontinued mandatory testing and checks have gone for a toss in some of the biggest railway stations.

Meanwhile, the state government has again mandated the wearing of masks/face covers in public, non-compliance to which will attract a fine upto Rs.1,000.