Assam: Himanta 'alters' pre-poll tone on COVID; warns people against double mutant strain
Ahead of the third phase polls in the state, Sarma had said that “there is no need to wear masks in the state as there is no more coronavirus”.
GUWAHATI:
From “no need to wear masks” just a couple of weeks back, to “abide by COVID-19 SOPs”, the tone of Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after the all-party meeting on COVID here on Thursday was sombre and serious.
Ahead of the third phase polls in the state, Sarma had said that “there is no need to wear masks in the state as there is no more coronavirus”.
Sarma had made the statement when the rest of the country was experiencing a steep rise in coronavirus cases.
When questioned about his comments, the Health Minister, however, “stuck” to his stand, saying that before the elections, the COVID scare was not there in Assam.
“Compare the cases then and now,” he said, while admitting that the situation has turned serious in the state but under control as of now.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, Sarma informed that the situation has been rendered even more dangerous with the detection of the “Indian double mutant strain in recently collected samples from Dibrugarh Airport”.
“Recent samples from Dibrugarh Airport are positive for B.1.617 strain or the Indian double mutant (L452R and E484Q) strain of SARS-Cov-2. So people have to be very careful and abide by the SOPs as laid down by the government," Sarma said.
“Following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is the only option to save oneself from the virus,” he reiterated.
He said the state currently has a sufficient stock of oxygen, Remdesivir, ICU beds, etc. “However, if the situation aggravates, then we might face a shortage,” he warned.
TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.
ALSO READ: Team Assam: Sonowal seeks cooperation of political parties in COVID fight
