All residing in BSF camp at Umpling to be tested for COVID-19: DHS

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 6, 2020

The state health department has decided to conduct COVID-19 test on all people residing in the Border Security Force (BSF) camp at Umpling.     

The decision was taken at a daily review meeting held on Monday after more than 17 BSF personnel have been tested positive for coronavirus. They are mainly those who have returned to the state recently.

“We have decided to conduct the COVID-19 test on all the people staying inside the BSFcamp,” Director of Health Services (MI) Dr Aman War told reporters.

He said the department has also sought the number of people residing at the BSF camp in Umpling.

According to him, there are around 130 people who are staying outside and they have been asked to refrain from going to the camp.  

Of the 36 COVID-19 active cases in the state, 17 are from the BSF.

Earlier, the health department had also asked the BSF hospital authority to collect samples of all the personnel deployed at the Lyngkhat border outpost, after 3 were tested positive for coronavirus recently.

Last week, the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had informed that around 500 paramilitary personnel, who have gone on leave, are all set to join back in the state.

“The government had suggested the different paramilitary forces to ensure arrangements for their return be made in phase wise. We have also discussed that if possible to also extend the leave of these paramilitary personnel (in view of the prevailing situation in the state),” Tynsong had said.