Earthquake Of Magnitude 3.5 Hits Assam

Assam earthquake: The quake was reported at 7.22 pm, according to the National Centre of Seismology (NCS). 

earthquake

An earthquake of magnitude 3.5 on the Richter scale was recorded in Assam's Sonitpur on Wednesday. The quake was reported at 7.22 pm, according to the National Centre of Seismology (NCS). 

Meanhwhile, COVID-19 situation in Assam is "a little alarming" with nearly 5,000 positive cases and the highest of 41 deaths reported on Tuesday, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The state has reported 4,475 new COVID-19 cases during the day taking the tally to 2,67,925 while the death toll has increased to 1,430 with the 41 fatalities, including 15 from Kamrup Metro.

Sarma said that with about 5,000 COVID-19 cases reported everyday the "situation in Assam is becoming a little alarming". However, "we are prepared and measures are on to scale up ICU and hospital beds".

The minister said that the vaccination for people in the age group of 18-44 years will be "launched symbolically from Wednesday but it shall be in full swing from May seven".

"Our vaccination for 18-44 age category gets a booster shot as we have received a fresh batch of 1.5 lakh Covaxin doses from Bharat Biotech", he said.

Vaccines will be administered to 100 journalists Wednesday at the Gauhati Press Club as a part of the symbolic launch.

The daily deaths have also increased with 41 deaths during the day, the highest since the outbreak of the disease last year.

The death rate is currently 0.53 per cent and the number of COVID-19 positive patients dying due to other cases is 1,347.

(With PTI Inputs)