92 fresh COVID-19 cases in Assam, total rises to 774

(Eds: Updates with latest inputs)

Guwahati, May 27 () The number of coronavirus cases crossed the 700-mark in Assam on Wednesday after 92 more people tested positive for the disease, state Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

With these new patients, including a resident of Kamrup (Metro) who recently returned to the state capital from Ahmedabad by plane, the number of COVID-19 cases rose to 774 in the state, he said.

Taking to Twitter, the minister said 60 new cases were reported in the evening -- 41 from Kamrup (Metro), nine from Hojai, five from Morigaon, four from Darrang and one from Kamrup.

In addition, nine cases were reported from Charaideo and one from Sivasagar districts.

Earlier in the day, Sarma tweeted: "18 new cases of #COVID19+ including first air carrier, a resident of Kamrup Metro, who travelled from Ahmedabad to Guwahati; 14 Golaghat, 2 Karbi Anglong, 1 Lakhimpur."

Three cases from Nagaon and one from Dhemaji were also detected, he had said in the morning.

Meanwhile, 25 patients have been discharged from hospitals after they tested negative for the disease twice, Sarma said.

"Glad to share that total 25 patients have been discharged today in Assam after being tested #COVID19 negative twice," he said in a tweet.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Assam stands at 680, while 87 people have recovered from the disease and three have migrated to other states. Four persons have died of the disease in the state.

After the inter-state movement through road and rail networks was allowed during the lockdown, Assam saw a significant increase in COVID-19 cases.

A total of 387 cases have so far been reported this week.

The state recorded its highest single-day spike of 156 cases on Monday, while 139 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Sarma said most of the latest cases are returnees from other states.

He said swab samples are collected from people soon after they arrive from outstation and most of the positive cases in Assam are imported and not home-grown.

Ten domestic flights were scheduled to arrive and depart from the Lokopriyo Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Wednesday, an airport spokesperson said.

The domestic flight services resumed on Monday.

Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal called on Governor Jagdish Mukhi and apprised him of the prevailing situation in the state and his government's preparedness to deal with the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

On Tuesday, the state cabinet stressed on strict quarantine for those coming from outside in view of the reported spike in coronavirus cases.

Everyone coming from outside will be sent for institutional quarantine and no home quarantine will be allowed for the first seven days, till the results of the swab tests are received.

Meanwhile, a microbiology laboratory has been set up at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati as an annexe of the Guwahati Medical College and the facility shall increase the number of sample testing for COVID-19 to a large extent, Sarma said.

He said the laboratory will start functioning soon.

Assam has seven other laboratories, where 72,564 samples have been tested for COVID-19 so far.

The state government is following the policy of declaring containment and buffer zones after positive cases are declared in particular areas.

As on date, there are 46 containment zones with Kamrup (Metro) having the highest of 14, followed by six each in Cachar and Bongaigaon, four in Dhubri, three in Kamrup (Rural), two each in Golaghat, Goalpara and Bishwanath and one each in Majuli, Charaideo, Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Karimganj, Hojai and Nagaon. DG BDC RC