Swab samples of Assam's first COVID-19 positive patient sent for tests to GMCH, Lahowal
SILCHAR, April 14: As India completes the first leg of the 21-day lockdown on Tuesday amidst escalating instances of COVID-19 positive patients, doctors in southern Assam are pinning hopes that the state's first COVID-19 positive patient can be released if his reports turn out to be negative.
Dr Bhaskar Gupta, vice principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital which is also the COVID-19 hospital in the region, said that despite remaining a positive case after two rounds of tests, the health condition of the first positive patient from Karimganj district is stable and he is gradually showing signs of improvement.
"Besides tests at SMCH, we have sent throat swab samples of the COVID-19 patient to GMCH and ICMR-RMRC laboratory at Lahowal at Dibrugarh. We are hopeful that if the reports turn out to be negative, the patient could be released. However, since he is also battling with cancer and diabetes, he should continue his treatment of the ailments," Dr Gupta said.
Dr Gupta also maintained hopeful views regarding the other positive patient from Cachar district undergoing treatment at the hospital.
He informed that the hospital laboratory has received 406 samples so far, with results of five samples yet to be received.
Barring three positive cases (one already deceased) there are no newly detected COVID-19 positive cases here.
Suman Choudhury, District Media Expert NHM, informed that the district has a total of 3,187 quarantined persons now.
Meanwhile, reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to extend the ongoing lockdown phase to May 3, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sumit Sattawan informed that regulations regarding the lockdown will continue in the same manner as it has been since March 24.
The ADC informed that while door-to-door selling of milk has been allowed from 7 am to 10 am within smaller proximities, sale of liquor, which began in the district with the scheduled time of 10 am to 5 pm, along with other parts of the state, shall be stopped if any instance of lockdown violation is reported.
