GUWAHATI: Assam has decided to extend the quarantine period for all asymptomatic direct contacts of a Covid-19 positive case having links with Tablighi Jamaat to 28 days after few of them became symptomatic much after the stipulated 14 days.The state has also decided to widen the strategy for nCoV testing and test all people coming to state’s three major hospitals for general treatment when these hospitals are re-converted from Covid-19 hospitals to general hospitals next week and from now onwards the nasal swabs will also be taken for test along with throat swabs for early detection of the infection.Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We have seen that people who have been in direct contact with positive cases linked with Tablighi Jamaat have not shown symptoms within 14 days but on 16th or 18th day and so we have decided to put these category of contacts living in the same house with the confirmed case for 28 days quarantine. Those with single contact with the Tablighi Jamaat positive case will not be put in the extended quarantine period.”Of the 34 positive cases in Assam, 33 have links with Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaaz, either attendees or direct contacts with the attendees.He said, “Till now our strategy for testing has been to test all with travel history, symptomatic individuals and asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case but now we have decided to test every people who come to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, Silchar Medical College and Hospital and Assam Medical College and Hospital for general treatment. We will use rapid test kits and screen them before they see their doctors. We hope to reopen these three medical college and hospitals will be re-opened for general treatment by April 25.”“We have also decided to take nasal swab along with throat swabs from now onwards. The beginning is in the nose and so want to go early detection,” he added.