Patient admitted in NEIGRIHMS was kept in isolation ward just to be on safe side: Doctors

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 9, 2020

In a bid to allay growing fears, the state government today ruled out any cases of COVID-19 infection in the state. 

This was after a message was circulated in Whatsapp that a patient had been admitted in the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) with symptoms of coronavirus infection creating a lot of panic among the citizens on Monday morning. 

“There is not a single case of COVID-19 disease being detected in the state so far,” health minister AL Hek told reporters after convening a meeting with officials of the health department here. 

The minister said that the case of the patient who has been admitted in NEIGRIHMS is yet to be confirmed. 

Terming the incident as unethical, Hek said that the NEIGRIHMS authority has been asked to take action against those found to be involved in circulating the message (containing the details of the patient) in public domain. 

Director Health Services (MI) Dr Aman War said what has been circulated in (social media) was very unfortunate because it has created unnecessary panic among the citizens. 

“The patient is stable but he is suspected of suffering from different diseases but not coronavirus,” Dr War said while informing that as part of taking precautionary steps to prevent any outbreak, the patient was kept in the isolation ward at NEIGRIHMS. 

He said that since the patient was having a history of traveling to Delhi, he was referred to NEIGRIHMS by a city hospital for treatment after developing fever and cough, which are pointers to coronavirus infection.

“As of now he is a patient with respiratory tract infection. Because he has a history of going to Delhi just to be on the safe side they have kept him in the isolation ward,” he further clarified. 

Urging the public not to panic, the senior health official said due to change of season, anybody can get common cold adding moreover the percentage of fatality arising out of the coronavirus infection is also very low. 

“This coronavirus is not fatal but what has been circulated in the media makes it become fatal due to panic attack. We appeal to the people not to panic,” he said while adding that steps will be taken to create awareness on this matter through the traditional institutions and schools. 

“We have taken all precautions. That is why he is being kept in the isolation ward. Even if his case turns out to be positive there is no question of further spreading (the disease since he is being quarantine),” he said. 

According to sources, testing has been done on the patient and report is being awaited. There are only eight testing centres and the nearest one is Kolkata.  

Asked on the non-availability of testing centres in the state, Dr War said that the matter has been taken up with the health ministry. “We had taken up with NEIGRIHMS and it has taken up with the ministry. We hope that within one week they get up the authorities to set up the centre,” he said. 

On the other hand, State Surveillance Officer (IDSP) Dr M Marbaniang said that the state is yet to have any suspected cases of COVID-19. 

She informed that all passengers who traveling history from foreign countries China, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and South Korea which are affected by the coronavirus outbreak, have been screened. 

According to her, there are a total of 62 such passengers from the state who had come from China (44), Singapore (2), Thailand (12), Japan (3) and Hongkong (1). 

“As of now all of them do not have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 disease. Therefore, there is no need to panic since we do not have any suspected case,” she said. 

The officer further informed that screening centres at Umroi airport have been set up besides entry points at Dawki and Dalu for screening passengers coming from international border with Bangladesh. According to her, more areas will be identified for setting up such screening centres. 

She said people with history of travelling to affected places have been asked to self declare by calling 108 helpline and advisory was also issued tourism department to direct hotels in the state. 

Meanwhile the health officials also informed about the non availability of masks in the state. However, they said that as per protocol, healthy persons are not required to use masks as they are meant only for affected persons. People are adviced to take precautionary measures by washing their hands with soap or hand sanitizers to prevent from the coronavirus infection.