Meghalaya COVID-19 | 541 of 617 samples tested negative

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 17, 2020

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that out of 617 sample tested so far, 541 has tested negative and 67 results were awaited. He informed that currently 8 were active cases. 

He said that 24,382 people screened and 49,391 calls have been received in the helpline numbers, while 2557 people are in quarantine. A total of 140 are in the primary contact list, while close to 4775 are in the secondary contact list. 

He said that close to 30,000 PPEs are in stock right now, and by tonight itself government is receiving another 20,000 PPEs, which will add upto 50,000 PPEs. 

He informed that the government has been allocated 4000 rapid test kits, and at the same time through different companies, the State government is also souring rapid test kits. 

“25 new ambulances have been ordered with life support facilities. We expect to receive them in about four days time. These 25 new ambulances are being funded by the CMRF contribution, which all of you have made at different levels,” said the Chief Minister. 

He said that 5.50 cr has been received in the CMRF and the funds will be invested in Corona Care Centres and other infrastructure requirements.  

He informed that the government has decided to open grocery shops and essential commodities for four days in a week i.e Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm.  “This is being done to ensure that there is more timing given to the people so that they can buy without having to crowd,” the Chief Minister added. 

The wholesale will be open for three days in a week i.e Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

He visited designated Covid Hospital i.e Shillong Civil Hospital today along with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and held review meeting with the staffs in the hospital premises. “Reviewed the entire situation in the civil hospital today to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place,” said the Chief Minister.  

On usage of social media, the Chief Minister said, “I would like to stress that a lot of news and lot of information is flowing in in social media and I think we really need to act responsibly in these kind of situations. I am very upset to see that certain individuals were giving out lists of patients who had visited Bethany Hospital. And I think this goes completely against the privacy of these patients and it is very very incorrect for everybody to do that.”

He informed that government is in touch with ICMR to ensure that testing is made available at Nazareth Hospital Shillong. “We hope that we will get a positive response from ICMR very soon,” he said.