Meghalaya: 70-yr-old man dies of COVID-19, 109 fresh cases reported

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 13, 2020

An elderly man, who tested positive for COVID-19, died at a city hospital, taking the death toll to 26 even as 109 new cases were detected on Sunday.

70-year-old Peter Kharkongor, a resident of Wahthapbru was declared brought dead at the Nazareth hospital at 5.20 am and on conducting rapid antigen test, he was found to be positive, Director of Health Services (MI), Dr Aman War said. 

Of the new cases, Dr War said 85, including 58 civilians and 27 armed forces/paramilitary forces (AF/PF) personnel, were detected from East Khasi Hills district, 13 from West Garo Hills distrct that include 10 AF/PF personnel and 3 civilians, 9 from Ri Bhoi district and 2 from East Jaintia Hills district. 

The health department has decided to increase testing capacity and provide early treatment to symptomatic cases especially giving special emphasis to elderly and patients with comorbidities.

A survey has also been taken up to identify all patients with comorbidities in order to reduce the mortality rate due to COVID-19 in the state.

Dr War also informed that 55 more persons -including 30 from East Khasi Hills, 23 from West Garo HIlls and 2 from Ri Bhoi, have recovered from the viral infection today.  

So far, the state has recorded a total of 3,724 positive cases out of which 1,623 are active, 2,075 recovered and 26 have died due to the disease.

East Khasi Hills has the highest number of active cases with 1,048 cases that include 833 civilians and 215 AF/PF, followed by West Garo Hills with 201 cases, 148 in East Jaintia HIlls, 137 in Ri Bhoi, 20 in South Garo Hills, 17 in East Garo Hills, 14 in West Khasi Hills, 13 in West Jaintia Hills, 12 in North Garo Hills, 8 in South West Garo Hills and 5 in South West Khasi Hills.