Assam deputy speaker, driver test positive for Covid-19

SILCHAR: Assam deputy speaker and BJP MLA from Sonai constituency in Cachar district Aminul Haque Laskar tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.

Health officials said Laskar was suffering from mild fever and weaknesses for a couple of days. This made him and his family members test swab samples. On Tuesday, while he and his driver tested positive, the results of the other family members were negative.

The 53-year-old deputy speaker was admitted to the isolation ward of Silchar Medical Collage and Hospital in the evening.

Laskar on the other hand shared this information via a Facebook post. "With a very sad heart I would like to inform that I have been tested Covid-19 positive (+ve) from the first swab sample test few minutes back," he posted in the afternoon.

"I was not feeling well was since morning. I would also tell that my all other family members have tested Negative (-ve)," Laskar wrote.

He requested people who came in contact with him in the past one week to isolate themselves and get their samples tested for Covid-19 only to protect themselves and their families.

"Those who have came into my contact from the last 1 week, Please isolate yourself and get yourself Covid tested," Laskar added.

Meanwhile, the Hailakandi district administration urged people to voluntarily come forward to get their swab samples tested to arrest the further spread of Covid-19. In a statement here on Tuesday, deputy commissioner (Hailakandi), Megh Nidhi Dahal, appealed to people to come forward voluntarily to have their swab samples tested to prevent community transmission and make Hailakandi a corona-free district.

Dahal said besides Nazrul Sadan premises, where swab samples were being collected by lab technicians from 10 am to 1 pm, swab collection centres will also be opened at certain suitable locations for giving more access to people.

Making an impassioned plea to people to get their swab samples tested, Dahal said, "There is nothing to fear or panic as the swab test being conducted under rapid antigen test for symptomatic persons will help in detecting positive cases quickly and ensure timely medical care and treatment," Dahal said.

The DC said in case of the swab sample being found negative under rapid antigen test, the sample will be sent for RT-PCR test. Under RAT, 88 cases have been detected positive according to health bulletin released on Monday evening.

Unlike other states, Dahal said Assam has been providing testing of swab samples, coupled with treatment and food at hospitals and Covid care centres free of cost.

The Hailakandi administration is conducting rapid antigen tests for passengers arriving by flights or buses from outside the state at the Inbound Passenger Facilitation Centre at Dholeswari on the inter-district border with Cachar.