Assam Doctor Couple quarantined on coronavirus scare, Hospital under panic

Assam : A doctor couple working at a medical college here and who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, has been quarantined for fourteen days in their home in Assam's Barpeta district, officials said on Saturday.

The couple, who work at the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, will be under observation of the state health department for the next fourteen days, they said.

The doctor couple had gone on a vacation to Saudi Arabia and upon returning, he rejoined duty without reporting his foreign visit. There was a bit of a panic at the medical college hospital after the husband began showing symptoms of coronavirus

The superintendent of the medical college, Dhrubajyoti Bora informed the reporters that the couple were asked to stay away from work and self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days. All the necessary tests regarding coronavirus have been done and if any symptoms are found, necessary steps will be taken immediately, officials said.

Meanwhile measures are being taken to ensure sterlisation at the hospital

"We have cleaned and sterilised the operation theatre in which he operated on a patient," Bora informed Asian Age.

The couple stays at a rented house in the Metuakuchi area of the Barpeta town.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked people to take precautions in the wake of the pandemic and not pay heed to any rumours.

"In case of any doubt or query, please call the helpline number for Assam - 6913347770," he said in a tweet.

There are 84 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, as of now. Of these, 10 have recovered and been discharged. Contact tracing of these cases has led to identification of more than 4000 contacts who have been put under surveillance. Efforts are on to identify further contacts of these cases.

Also, 12,29,363 passengers have been screened from 11,406 flights at the 30 designated airports. In addition, instructions to enforce quarantine for all incoming passengers as per the guidelines are being implemented.