Meghalaya COVID-19 | No fresh case reported, 1182 tests negative

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 27, 2020

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said a total of 1182 of 1254 samples collected have been tested negative for COVID-19. 

Addressing media on Monday, Tynsong said the results of 60 tests are awaited.

“We have 12 positive cases of which 11 are active and 1 died,” he said. 

Asked, Director of Health Service (MI) Dr Aman War informed that there has been no fresh cases reported in the state during the past five days. 

“However we are still continuing to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread. The contact tracing is being conducting to identify and tests all the high risk contacts and low risk contacts. Based on the test results, we will be able to know whether the state is safe from the virus,” Dr War said. 

Earlier, a review meeting was also chaired by the chief minister Conrad K Sangma. 

Tynsong said that the meeting has decided to direct the health department not to shift general patients from the civil hospitals – designated as COVID-19 hospitals – to private hospitals or other places. 

“After we received a report on the matter, we have directed the health department not to shift the general patients from three civil hospitals at Shillong, Tura and Jowai and to ensure that their normal function,” he said. 

A total of 24,382 persons have been screened so far in the state. 

Of these, 6,434 are under home quarantine while 308 institutional quarantine.

Tynsong further informed that the state has so far received 86,386 personal protection equipments (PPEs), 5,10,000 3-ply masks and 94,770 N95 masks for effectively tackling the situation.

Asked with regards to the newly sworn in chief justice of the Meghalaya High Court, who travelled to the state by road, Tynsong said, “He (CJ) came yesterday and yes screening was done while he was entering the state. Everybody need to adhere to the national as well as the state protocols.” 

According to the government daily bulletin, the team of doctors has completed more than 120 home visits as on April 24, to monitor the primary contacts who are under home quarantine is concerned.  

A total of 48 teams are formed by the Deputy Commissioners office in East Khasi Hills for making home visits for all the secondary contacts.

For all the other individuals under home quarantined they are being advised for self isolation for 14 days and to report if any one of the symptoms appear.

In the background of the present COVID19 outbreak, the general public is advised to adhere to health advisories issued by the State Government.

Public should follow the cough etiquette by covering the nose and mouth using handkerchief/towel while sneezing/coughing and do frequent hand washing with soap and water.

Of 10,287 registered under the CM’s Special Grant for stranded people, 9658 have been screened and 7891 have been provided with financial support at Rs 3,000 each.