Representational image.

Amid fall in Covid-19 cases, panic gripped in upper Assam’s Jorhat after a UK-returned testing positive for the deadly virus.

Asfakur Rahman, a resident of Rajabari, tested positive for the virus on Thursday.

His maid Tutumoni also tested positive of the infection and both have been admitted to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH).

Jorhat DC Roshni A Korati said the administration had on Thursday received information regarding Asfakur Rahman travelling from UK.

“After receiving the information, we have traced the person and collected his sample as well as from the contact persons (family members and maid working in their home). Rahman and Tutumoni tested positive,” Korati said.

It is yet to be ascertained whether the Rahman has been infected by Covid 19 or its more transmissible variant which has emerged in the UK recently.

The DC said that their samples will be sent to NIV, Pune to check if it is the new strain of COVID-19.

“On inquiry, the person has told that he had reached Jorhat on December 13 (night) and remained isolated for seven days. But after seven days, he visited a local shop twice.

Samples from the concerned shop will be collected today,” the DC further said.

Korati said that Asfakur Rahman’s RT PCR sample was collected in Delhi on December 12 after he reached the national capital from UK and he tested negative.

Tutumoni (contact positive) is domestic help staying in Asfakur Rahman’s house.

Rahman works in UK and lives there with his family. He had returned home alone to visit his parents.

Smita Bhattacharyya is Northeast Now Correspondent in Jorhat. She can be reached at: triptyaddy@gmail.com