September 14, 2020: Home isolation of Covid-19 patients is the major reason for the sudden increase in the number of deaths related to the virus, said Assam health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma.

The minister on Sunday told reporters that till the government did not allow home isolation, the serious patients got immediate treatment at hospitals. "As we allowed home isolation, the number started to rise. People do not follow the home isolation norms. This has resulted in late reporting. Sometimes, the patients come at the last stage when oxygen level dip below the minimum level. In such circumstances, our doctors are helpless."

He informed that over 1600 doctors and health workers across Assam including 500 in GMCH have been infected with the virus so far. Urging people not to celebrate Durga Puja this time, the minister warned that other the situation could explode and go beyond control.

Dr. Sharma said that the requirement of oxygen at hospitals has increased as most serious patients suffer from low oxygen. For this, two oxygen tanks have been installed at the GMCH which can supply for a week.