Other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are also heavily affected by the virus. However, there are still some corners of the country that are untouched by the grip of the deadly contagion and have relatively low number of cases. These include states such as Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and others.
Cases of Coronavirus in northeast emerged very late compared to the rest of the country as the first infection was reported towards the end of March. By then the states such as Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya and others were put on an alert and had started taking all necessary precautions.
Assam stands out to be the only state in the northeast region where a continuous rise in Covid-19 cases has been reported.
Let's take a look at the current situation of some northeastern states of India that has managed to keep Coronavirus pandemic at bay:
Assam
Today Assam reported two fresh cases of coronavirus and according to the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs the tally for the state reached 35. The first reported case in the state was of a 52-year-old man from Karimganj district. Assam saw a spurt in cases after people who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat Congregation in Delhi returned. The cases that emerged today was of two police officers who have been quarantined. In the recent guidelines issued by the central government, five districts were named as hotspot districts.
Manipur
The state-reported one of the first cases in the region in March when a 23-year-old woman with a travel history to the UK tested positive. Since then the state has only two confirmed coronavirus cases with the second one of an elderly man who had returned from the Tablighi Jamaat Congregation held in Delhi. The Manipuri woman was successfully treated and discharged from the hospital. The state government has also undertaken many measures to control the spread of the virus this includes a regular screening of truck drivers and their handyman who are transporting essential goods to the state. The Manipur government also launched a website and an Android App to provide the latest and authentic information on coronavirus.
Meghalaya
The first in the state was that of a 69-years-old doctor, who was the founder of the private hospital. He contracted the infection from his son, a pilot who was asymptomatic. Meghalaya government today announced two more coronavirus cases in the state who happened to be family members of the first COVID 19 patient who died on April 15. A total of six family members have been tested positive for the virus. According to data by the Ministry of Health and Family affairs, there are only 7 cases in the state with one death.
Mizoram
Mizoram reported its first case and the second one in the Northeast when a 50-year-old pastor returned from the Netherlands. According to data by the health ministry, this remains the only case from the state. The government has also tightened security along the state's border with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Nagaland
Nagaland reported its first case on April 13 when a man from Dimapur showed symptoms. He was referred to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Assam and has been admitted there. So far this is the only reported case of coronavirus in the state.
Sikkim
Since the pandemic reached Indian shores, the state has remained completely virus free. Early measures taken by the state have so far been effective in keeping the virus at bay. Since the state shares a border with China, it was on high alert and very early issued mandatory screening at the border. Even though tourist season had just started the state still ordered a ban on foreign n tourists on 5 March. And even before the nationwide lockdown, Sikkim declared self-quarantine by March 17. Borders with neighbouring state West Bengal were also closely monitored.
Arunachal Pradesh
Only one case was reported from the state at the beginning of the month. The patient was a 31-year-old man, who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat Congregation in Delhi. But recent reports say that the lone patient is now free of the virus after testing negative twice in 24 hours. The Chief Minister Pema Khandu also announced the news on his Twitter page. The state is also using drones to check on lockdown violators.
Tripura
The state has reported two cases of coronavirus. According to reports, the first case was of a 46-year-old woman who had tested positive on April 6. She is now discharged after testing negative but is kept in institutional quarantine. The second case Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel was also tweeted by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb who wrote, ‘that man, who is from Madhya Pradesh, is presently staying at Damcherra in North Tripura district.’