Dibrugarh based Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said all 78 samples taken to monitor the presence of community transmission of the novel coronavirus have tested negative.
“We have carried out 78 tests till today (6pm) and all of them have turned out to be negative for COVID-19. So far the entire Northeast is free from COVID-19,” Biswajyoti Borkakoty, senior scientist and nodal officer of the ICMR-RMRC told Northeast Now on Monday.
“But people must be extremely careful as the next 10-15 days will be extremely crucial. People should not go out of their homes unnecessarily, practice hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing,” Borkakoty added.
The ICMR-RMRC, Gauhati Medical College, Jorhat Medical College and Silchar Medical College are the four certified facilities of the state.
Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had mentioned that the testing facility will soon be introduced at Barpeta Medical College and Hospital soon.
Meanwhile a truck driver from Punjab was admitted to the isolation ward of the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) on Tuesday after he developed symptoms similar to that of coronavirus.
“We have admitted a truck driver from Punjab at the AMCH isolation ward after he showed symptoms akin to the coronavirus. His sample has been sent for testing and the results are awaited,” Nabajyoti Gogoi, joint director of health services, Dibrugarh said.
A 22-bedded isolation ward has been set up at the Assam Medical College and Hospital for suspected coronavirus cases.
Two Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have also been kept ready and a rapid action team comprising of specialist doctors and trained nurses have been kept at standby to deal with any emergencies.