Authorities in Meghalaya swing into action after first COVID-19 case; 2,000 primary contacts identified

As many as 2,000 contacts have been identified and 90 samples sent for tests as the state reported its first COVID-19 case on Monday evening.

Addressing media persons after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the focus of health authorities is to trace the primary contacts on a war footing.

Stating that the State Government is adopting the strategy of identifying, isolating and testing, Sangma informed that Meghalaya has also sought help from Assam for conducting more tests.

To a question on who could possibly be the carrier of the disease as the patient does not have any travel history, Sangma said in all probability the relative of the infected doctor may have brought it in. He however, added that the person in question had apparently followed all quarantine norms. Calling on the citizens not to panic but be more careful, the Chief Minister said that the Corona Task Force has been activated and efforts are on from all level.

Referring to the earlier decision taken by the Cabinet, the Chief Minister said that the State is going back to the old protocol.

It may be mentioned that Meghalaya registered its first COVID-19 positive case last evening when a senior doctor from Shillong’s Bethany hospital tested positive for the virus.

The patient, who reportedly has no travel history, has currently been quarantined and is undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, the East Khasi Hills district administration imposed curfew in Shillong and outskirts from 6 in the morning today.