Source of infection’ of over 24 cases ‘untraceable’, govt to set up screening points

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 16, 2020

Director of Health Services (MI), Dr Aman War on Sunday said the department is yet to trace the ‘source of infection’ of over 24 persons, who had tested positive for COVID-19 recently in the state capital.

Due to this, Dr War told reporters that the health department has decided to set up ‘screening points’ in two major commercial hubs in the city at Khyndailad and Iewduh, to conduct random testing of people from tomorrow.

“We are yet to know the source from where the 24 cases have contracted the viral infection. Of these, 12 are from Rilbong while others are from different localities which include Umpling, Mawpat, Kenches’ Trace, Upper Laban, Jhalupara, Lawsohtun and Laitumkhrah. These cases are without any contacts and travelling history and we still cannot account from where they have got the infection,” he said.

The senior medical officer said in view of this, it was felt necessary on the need to have screening points in order to conduct random testing on people.

“Therefore, we have decided to set up these screening points at Khyndailad and Iewduh markets where dedicated team of health workers will start collecting samples of people from tomorrow. For other districts, the respective DM&HO will decide the locations,” he added.

“The exerciise is also being carried out to study the situation and to find out how COVID-19 is spreading in our state,” he said.

Dr War also added, “In case we could no longer trace the source of infection, we will have to change our strategy in dealing with the situation.”

The Director of Health Services further appeal to the citizens of the state to avoid venturing out of their homes unnecessarily citing that the situation is not good.

“People should understand that prevention is the only cure to this disease,” he said.

On the other hand, Dr War said that the recovery rate in the state is very good and that most of the positive cases are ‘asymptomatic’. “However, the only concern is that the transmission rate of the disease is very high,” he said.