GUWAHATI, May 8: Six more persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam today, taking the tally to 59.
While one student of Regional Dental College in Kamrup Metro tested positive for the coronavirus, other five patients were those travelling in the bus which arrived in Silchar on Wednesday from Ajmer.
Of the total 45 people travelling in the bus, so far 8 have tested positive for the virus, including a 9-year-old child. All the passengers have been quarantined and tests are being conducted on them. �Thirty three tests have been negative. We have sent some samples for repeat tests and two results are awaited as there were problems in collection of swab from two passengers,� Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, adding that the viral load in one of the positive patient was very high, which might be the reason for infection of so many passengers.
The Cachar district administration has declared several areas in Silchar as containment zones. However, as the passengers did not come into contact with too many people after arrival, the chances of the virus spreading from them is low. But over 150 persons have been quarantined in Silchar following the detection of the new cases. The total number of active cases in the State now stands at 23.