New 800-bedded makeshift COVID-19 hospital at Khanapara to combat Guwahati’s rising cases

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To meet the possible shortage of hospital beds due to the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Guwahati, the Assam Government has established an 800-bedded makeshift hospital at Khanapara in the city. This was announced by the Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a press conference here in the city.

“The city has only 890 hospital beds. It would be out of control if the COVID-19 tally keeps on increasing with the current trend,” the minister said.

Citing the recent daily data on COVID-19 cases, the minister said that Guwahati reported around 48 to 49 percent of the cases. Of the 762 confirmed COVID-19 in Guwahati, 677 people have no travel history.

Besides, the minister said a total of 10617 samples have been collected for tests for COVID-19 in the city in Assam since June 15^th, 2020.

Moreover, the minister informed that the government is trying to tie up with private hospitals for paying cabins for COVID-19 patients.

Also read: Assam enforces complete lockdown in Kamrup (M) from Jun 28 midnight for 14 days

Declaring the complete lockdown for 14 days in Guwahati, Assam with effect from June 28^th, 2020 midnight, the minister said, “The government is compelled to enforce the lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19; otherwise there is no option left.”

The lockdown will be enforced strictly for the first seven days where except the essential services nothing will remain open.

Assam has 6646 confirmed COVID-19 cases; of which 4033 have been cured and discharged while 2601 are active and nine died due to the infection so far. The state crossed the 1000-mark in 60 days. It reported the first case on March 31^st, 2020.

Breaking down the numbers: Assam

DATE	CASES	INCREASE
22-May	49
23-May	67	18
24-May	46	-21
25-May	147	101
26-May	116	-31
27-May	92	-24
28-May	97	5
29-May	174	77
30-May	159	-15
31-May	190	-31
1-Jun	148	-42
2-Jun	76	-72
3-Jun	269	193
4-Jun	200	-69
5-Jun	128	-72
6-Jun	230	102
7-Jun	208	-22
8-Jun	154	-52
9-Jun	215	61
10-Jun	235	20
11-Jun	145	-90
12-Jun	263	118
13-Jun	207	-56
14-Jun	218	11
15-Jun	191	-27
16-Jun	201	10
17-Jun	184	-17
18-Jun	210	26
19-Jun	102	108
20-Jun	249	147
21-Jun	331	72
22-Jun	267	-64
23-Jun	203	-64
24-Jun	314	111
25-Jun	276	-38