SILCHAR, May 24 - The detection of two COVID-19 positive cases in Barak Valley, one in Cachar and another from Badarpur in Karimganj district, visibly with no travel histories, has pointed towards community spread of the novel coronavirus in the southern Assam districts.
In this backdrop, terming the situation as a wake-up call, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli has urged the people to remain alert and follow the safety guidelines issued by the Government, instead of pressing the panic button.
Talking to mediapersons at her office conference hall today, Jalli said, �we are still tracing the contacts of the 65-year-old COVID-19 positive patient from Tarapur who apparently has no travel history for her to be kept in the quarantine facility, nor has she gone out of home recently.�
�This leads us to the point of a possible community spread of the virus and hence we must tighten our sleeves for extra caution while performing our daily chores with restraint. We must avoid stepping out of homes unless it is a dire necessity. Our mobile phones too are prone to bring home the virus and hence proper cleaning of the gadgets is also essential.�
�Each person has a sphere of influence on four people and we can do it together. Every person, from town to Gaon Panchayats must realise that wearing of face masks, handwashing and maintaining social distance will not only ensure common good, but also save ourselves from being exposed to the virus.�
On the other hand, responding to a question on the alleged chaos at the quarantine centre at Don Bosco School premises here, Jalli expressed her disappointment over the �insensible behaviour� by the students and youngsters kept at the centre.
�Those quarantined at various centres should not expect to get banquet facilities, especially during such grave circumstances. A section of the people in the quarantine centres must understand this and cooperate with the administration instead of creating a ruckus,� the Deputy Commissioner maintained.
On the issue of shortage of food packets in some of the quarantine centres, Jalli reacted by saying, instead of not grabbing multiple food packets, people must maintain patience and consume whatever is alloted per person so that others can also have fair share of the facilities in a sustainable manner. All the quarantine centres have a caterer attached so that the food remains fresh and hot while served on time, she added.
Moreover, conveying her wishes to the people on the occassion of Eid-al-Fitr, Jalli requested people to keep themselves indoors, offer prayers to celebrate the festival with family members.
She informed that a meeting was held with religious leaders who had agreed to disseminate the message of the need for offering Eid prayers from home under the circumstances.