Meghalaya | Patient tested positive for COVID-19 after second retest

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 3, 2020

The coronavirus patient, who initially tested negative, was again tested positive for the virus, according to the report received by the government on Sunday. 

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the government has received the report of the last patient and she was again tested positive for the virus. 

“Her condition is stable. We will again send her sample for retest tomorrow. Now, as per norms the government have to sent the sample every three days for testing till the result is negative and the patient is fully cured,” Tynsong said.

Earlier, the woman was tested negative during the first re-test after completing quarantine period for 14 days. 

The state had 12 positive cases of which 11 are active while one died.

After retest was conducted twice, the government had announced that 10 patients have fully recovered but are advised to remain under home-quarantine for another 14 days. 

Earlier, the deputy chief minister had expressed optimism that very soon the state will be declared COVID-19 free with the recovery of the patients.

“Meghalaya is now safe from COVID-19 and there is nothing to worry. The government has worked tirelessly to ensure there is no further spread of the virus,” Tynsong had said while urging all citizens not to be complacent but to strictly follow protocols including social distancing issued by the government.

Till yesterday, 1655 people have been tested negative while results of 40 tests are pending.

In a recent statement, the government informed that 24,382 people have been screened while 6,815 people are under home quarantine and 312 are in institutional quarantine.

As many as 49,391 phone calls have been received through helpline and 22,303 persons have been contacted through IVRS.

As far as the contact tracing details are concerned, the government said that there are 181 primary contacts and 3,147 secondary contacts.

On the health infrastructure, it was informed that there are 1,17,216 PPE, 5,20,000 3-ply masks and 1,16,826 N95 masks.

According to the statement, all primary contacts under home quarantine are being visited by a team of doctors at their residence and being monitored very closely and the team has completed more than 1032 home visits from April 22 to 2 pm of May 1.

In addition, 48 teams have been formed by the Deputy Commissioner’s office in East Khasi Hills for making home visits for all the secondary contacts.

Other individuals under home quarantine are being advised for self isolation for 14 days and to report if any symptoms appear.

“Line listing is being conducted by the ASHAs in all the districts,” the statement added.