4 Nizamuddin Markaz attendees test positive in Assam, state tally reaches 5
Eight more positive cases reported in Assam on Wednesday, taking the total number of confirmed cases to thirteen in the state. Assam now has the highest number of cases in the Northeast, followed by Manipur and Mizoram with one case each.The state has "entered a very critical stage and we have to maintain the lockdown strictly to ensure that the situation does not worsen", ssam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Nearly 350 people have returned to Assam after attending the congregation in Delhi, which has emerged as an epicentre for spread of the coronavirus in different parts of the country.
Out of the 457 people, investigations revealed that 134 of them had not attended the congregation but were in the area and their presence were detected by mobile phone towers. Another 68 did not return to Assam and are in Delhi, Lucknow and other places, he said.
There are 347 people now in Assam, who returned from the congregation by March 16, and out of them, 230 people have been located so far, while the remaining could not traced as their mobile phones were switched off and their family members did not cooperate, the minister said.
"The situation is very dangerous and we appeal to all who had gone to the congregation and also those who have come in contact with them to give their swab samples for testing and quarantine themselves," he said.
Earlier in the day, Sarma said that four people were tested positive for coronavirus, adding that the number cross double digit by today evening. He said, "All four people Markaz, attended Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi," said Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He also stated that the cases in the state increase. "may cross double-digits by evening." Addressing a press meet in Guwahati, health minister Sarma said that in addition to the first patient at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, four more people have been tested positive for Coronavirus at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Sarma further said that Centre has provided with a list of 547 people to Assam government on Tuesday. Out 547, 134 were in the Nizamuddin area but not in Tablighi Jamaat. He added that 68 people had stayed back in Delhi and 4 of them tested positive in the National Capital itself. "347 are back in Assam but did not get themselves quarantined. Out of 347, 230 of them have been traced overnight and samples are being collected.
He further added that 117 are yet to be traced.
Coronavirus positive cases in India rose sharply to 1,637, the health ministry website showed today, a jump of 240 cases in 12 hours. The death toll from Covid-19 has also increased to 38 as three more deaths were confirmed, according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Of these 1466 are active cases, and 132 have been Cured / Discharged, the report state.
ALSO READ | 456 people from Assam's all 33 districts were in or around Tablighi Jamaat's Nizamuddin gathering
ALSO READ | India's coronavirus tally jumps to 1,637 with 240 new cases in 12 hours, 38 deaths so far. State-wise list
