Assam launch contract tracing of Corona +ve American Tourist

Assam has launched a major contract tracing as a 76-year-old American tourist has become the biggest scare of coronavirus in Assam as he was found positive in Bhutan upon arrival from Guwahati.

The tourists had a seven-day cruise in the river Brahmaputra along with his friend. He was on the cruise between February 23 to March 2. It has not been yet confirmed which cruise he had taken.

The Prime Minister office of Bhutan has confirmed the development and that was corroborated by Assam Health officials also.

The Assam Government health officials informed that the  Integrated disease surveillance program (IDSP) officials are now trying to find out the trail of the tourist which has not been named. So far 56 persons have been identified and they are under observation.

Fromthe immigration official to the driver of his vehicle as well as hotels wherehe had stayed and visited places were being investigated.

Thepatient is a 76-year-old from the United States of America, who had come toBhutan as a tourist. He had entered the country from Paro InternationalAirport, after embarking Drukair flight KB241 from Guwahati, India on March 2.

Thepatient was touring India from February 21 to March 1. He had started histravel from Washington DC on February 18. The patient was travelling with hispartner, aged 59.

Atthe Paro International Airport, the patient's health declaration form wasassessed. He had indicated "negative" against all conditions. He did not have asign of fever.

However,upon reaching Thimphu, around 3pm, he visited the medical OPD at JDWNRH,complaining of bloaty abdomen (dyspeptic symptoms) and nausea. The patientsuffers from chronic hypertension and is on medication. However, even at thattime, he did not have any flu symptoms.

The patient and his partner stayed at Le Meridien on the first night. The following day, he stayed indoor most of the time and went to the hospital again around 3.30pm for stomach upset and diarrhoea.

Thenext day, he travelled to Punakha, with two stops on the way for tea and lunch.He had stayed at Densa Boutique Resort. That evening, he had walked until theBazam next to Punakha Dzong, and returned to the room.

Yesterday,upon returning to Thimphu, he visited JDWNRH again. He was found to have fever,sore throat, cough and shortness of breath. He was kept under observation atthe flu clinic (designated COVID-19 hospital) and samples were collected andsent to Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC).