Guwahati lockdown extended by 1 week from July 12-19; home quarantine allowed in Assam now

Anuncing yet ar lockdown extension, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Saturday said that lockdown in its capital- Guwahati will be furr extended by a week while dressing a press conference. Stating that Nagarik Samiti h recommended a two-week lockdown extension, he said that city's positivity rate has reduced from 30% to 20%. He also stated that Guwahati which has been in lockdown since June 28, has alrey tested 96,666 samples which constitutes 1/10th of city's population.

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Guwahati lockdown extended

"Positivity rate in city has come down to 20 percent from 30 percent. Yesterday it was 16 percent," said Sarma. Talking about lockdown extension, he ded, " Nagarik Samitis have suggested two weeks extension, but from health department, we have recommended that a one-week extension is eugh," said Sarma.

Informing of recent changes in Assam's COVID strategy he said that aggressive treatment has been started on Steroid, Remdesivir, and Plasma following 16 deaths that were reported in last two days. Moreover, Guwahati will also launch a dedicated COVID care center exclusively for pregnant women and children on July 14 - a first in country, remarked Sarma. Assam, which h strictly ruled out home quarantine, has w allowed home quarantine if buildings allow. ditionally, Sarma said that air travellers arriving in Assam will also be allowed to undergo home quarantine inste of hotel quarantine, after being tested at airports. 

Sharing Assam's COVID stats, Sarma said, "5,25,485 tests have been conducted so far in state.  test positivity rate is 2.96% and tests per million is 15744.   doubling rate at present is 11 days from 16 days as it was on June 29. 35 people have succumbed to COVID so far in State and mortality is at 0.23%".

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Guwahati under lockdown

A 14-day lockdown in Guwahati came into force on Sunday evening in order to fight rising number of coronavirus cases in city. Kamrup Metropolitan district, under which Guwahati falls, was completely locked down from 7 pm on Sunday till 6 pm on July 12 with even shops of grocery, meat and all or items downing shutters, with only pharmacies allowed to function. Subsequently, govt allowed certain relaxations.

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Last week, state government allowed grocery shops to operate between 11 am and 4 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. However, as per order issued by Chief Secretary of Assam, only 20 percent of shops will be allowed to open on any given day. House sale of fruits and vegetables would be allowed between 8 am to 2 pm, wholesale distribution of medicines and medical equipment shall be allowed between 10 am and 3 pm - only on Mondays and Wednesdays. Assam has 14600 Coronavirus cases with 35 fatalities and 9147 recoveries.

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