As COVID-19 positive cases continued to mount in Guwahati, house-to-house testing will be launched in Ward No 2 of the city from July 7.
“In a first of its kind initiative on mass testing in the state, Health department shall carry out house-to-house COVID-19 tests in Ward No 2 (Pandu area) of Guwahati Municipality Corporation from tomorrow,” Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on July 6.
Altogether 3,000 tests have been targeted in the ward in two days, he added.
Close to 3,500 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported from Guwahati in last 12 days as few relaxations in the ‘total lockdown’ in the city were allowed in the second phase of the 14-day period from July 6.
Grocery shops have been allowed to open at fixed timings and door-to-door sale of fruits and vegetables have been allowed on specified days, among other activities.
Meanwhile, the overall COVID-19 tally in the state has surged to 11,736 with detection of 735 cases in the last 24 hours.
Several doctors and health workers from different parts of the state have tested positive for the virus, leading to apprehension of local transmission of COVID-19 in new areas.
At least 220 personnel of Assam Police of different ranks have also tested positive for COVID-19, while several journalists working for different media houses, especially in Guwahati, have also been infected.
To prevent the spreading of the virus, a two week lockdown began from July 6 in Dima Hasao district of the state.
The lockdown is being enforced strictly in the district as police fined people not wearing masks or failing to maintain physical distancing.
The North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council office will function with minimum staff during the lockdown period for the convenience of the public.
