GUWAHATI, March 17 - Noting that the State�s healthcare system will not support the stage III of spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) � which is community transmission, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today asked the district administrations to maintain utmost vigil.
At a video conference with all deputy commissioners, Sarma said Assam is not even in stage II or I, and if there is a concerted effort from all � administration, organisations, village elders and family members � the State will be able to avoid any emergency situation.
He informed that results of two swab tests which were pending were also negative.
The minister also directed a slew of measures to heighten vigil in airports and railway stations to screen passengers arriving from outside.
A total of 11,569 persons have been screened at different places in Assam till today.
A total of 347 travellers from COVID-19 affected countries have been identified and out of them, 151 passengers kept in complete observation for a period of 28 days and remaining 196 are under home isolation.
Those who have arrived from the corona-affected countries should remain under strict home isolation for 28 days from the date of arrival in India, irrespective of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, a health department bulletin stated.
Meanwhile, in a circular, the State�s labour commissioner has directed all tea garden managements to keep a strict vigil on people returning from other states to their homes.
The labour commissioner pointed out that many tea garden youths, who are working outside the State, mainly South India, are now returning to their homes in the tea gardens in view of the outbreak of coronavirus in the states where they are working.
�The management and workers must keep a strict vigil for such persons and immediately report arrival of such persons to the district administration and Joint Director of Health Services concerned for immediate screening,� the circular stated.
The managements and unions have been asked to avoid any gathering within the tea estates. The garden managements have been also asked to carry out awareness campaigns among the workers.
