Heart of the matter

 Assam has been witnessing spike in COVID-19 cases during the two months especially May and June where the numbers have been quadrupling to take the present tally, as on June 11 to 3,285. It may also be noted that COVID-19 cases in April was only 42 but in May the number rose by 1,298 and during the current month and as on June 11, another 1924 new cases were confirmed for COVID-19. The figure of 3285 also included 1,252 recoveries (inclusive of migrations) and six deaths. The sudden spurt during May at 1,298 and 1924 from June 1 to -11 clearly indicates that the situation has become grimmer. As per the definition of epidemiologists, when those tested positive had no travel history nor contact with those infected with COVID-19 pandemic, then the only conclusion would point to community transmission at least in Guwahati. This was officially admitted by Assam health minister Himata Biswa Sarma on June 10. During his regular press briefing, the Assam minister confirmed that community transmission of COVID-19 has already taken place in the state. Sarma’s basis for coming to the conclusion was the case of 13 individuals in Guwahati city who had tested positive for the virus and who had no travel history. It was pointed out that COVID-19 cases were detected from localities in Guwhati city particularly from Pan Bazar area, a busy commercial centre. A majority of those tested positive had been to some shops in Pan Bazar area but who had no travel history nor known contact with infected persons. As a consequence of the rapid spike in COVID-19 cases, the government of Assam has declared several areas under Guwahati city as containment zones such as in – Harishabha at Pan Bazaar; Sankar Nagar in Lalganesh; Athgaon-II; Dhirenpara; Hirapara village under Azara Revenue circle; Shantipur; Bishnupur (Bharalumukh); Satgaon and Christian Basti. As definition, community transmission or spread is said to be taking place when the source of the contagion is not known, i.e. when one is unable to trace an infection back to a carrier who has travelled in an affected area, or through contact with a person who has the disease. A state of community spread implies that the virus is now circulating in the community, and can infect people with no history – either of travel to or contact with affected people and areas. At this stage, it is theoretically possible for everyone to catch the infection. In order to stop further spread, the government of authorities many declare certain areas as containment zones where suspected community spread has taken place. The perimeters of the containment zone are decided based on the number of positive cases in the area, contact tracing history and population density. Police will seal the perimeter around a containment zone and restrict outward movement of people except for essential services (including medical emergencies) including vehicles. All roads to containment zones shall be barricaded and manned by police personnel and only those with passes will be permitted to move in or out. That community transmission in Guwahati has taken place is a very disturbing matter especially for the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram since the city is the main transit route by air, road and rail, a marketing centre and a destination for medical treatment for them.