GUWAHATI: The lack of tests has pushed the coronavirus infection positivity rate near 5% in the state. The number of active cases rose to 100 on Sunday for the first time since the third wave was overcome in February.
The state’s daily Covid positivity rate touched 4.26% on Monday.
The state health department is concerned about the positivity rate in the coming weeks as COVID protocols are not being followed in places like flood relief camps. Pilgrims have also started entering the state for the Ambubachi festival that begins on Wednesday. Sources in the health department said that a large increase in cases cannot be ruled out under the circumstances.
The number of active cases in the state has more than four times since 23 cases were reported since June 13. Of the 105 cases detected in the last 10 days, 64% came from Kamrup (Metro) district, which also includes Guwahati city. Sources said senior health department officials are still reluctant to make testing mandatory at key points.
“Some people are voluntarily getting tested. In hospitals, a negligible number of patients are being tested and that too, when doctors suspect possible infection,” said a health department official.
Phone calls from TOI to senior officials at the Assam National Health Mission remained unanswered, even though the office has been responsible for conducting adequate tests in previous waves. Concerned officials have been repeatedly avoiding media queries, even as airport and railway officials wait for the health department to improve testing facilities at some entry routes connecting vulnerable states.
“There is a need to increase the tests, but they came down to 218 on Sunday, when the positivity rate increased to 4.13 from Saturday’s 4.09%,” officials said.
Another official said, “About a week ago, 223 tests were conducted in Assam, but the positivity rate was 2.24%.”
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