HT Bureau
SHILLONG, April 28: A 46-year-old man, who was tested Covid-19 positive has died in West Garo Hills District.
This was informed by health minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday after reviewing the Covid scenario in the state.
The patient passed away while under hospitalisation at Tura Holy Cross Hospital late Thursday.
He was brought to Tura 5 days ago with complications of breathlessness and high fever and subsequently admitted to hospital.
His condition deteriorated gradually and the patient passed away on Thursday, making it the first casualty of this highly infectious viral disease in the last two years.
Lyngdoh on Friday said following the recent death due to coronavirus infection, the health department has decided the immediate implementation of all precautionary measures.
There are a total of 17 active cases in Meghalaya which include 5 cases from East Khasi Hills, 10 from Garo Hills and 2 from West Jaintia Hills districts respectively.
“The numbers are under control and there is no sign that it would lead to a pandemic-like situation. However, we request the public to adhere to Covid-19 protocols so that we can prevent the situation from getting worse,” she added.
Concerning the availability of vaccines, the health minister said, “The department will be sitting for a meeting with the chief minister on Monday to discuss all the issues concerning the Covid infection,” Lyngdoh said.
Also stating that Covid cases are well under control, Lyngdoh said that there has been no sign that this would take a pandemic situation again adding that “we feel that this is not going to happen but nevertheless one death has occurred, we thought that we should share this with you”.
She further announced that the Health department has requested for immediate implementation of all precautionary measures and said, “We request the public at large to kindly adhere to Covid practices so that we may be able to contain the situation and ensure that it does not become a problem. Please wear masks in crowded places, cough with etiquette, wash your hands, use sanitisers. People with symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, loss of taste, smell, breathlessness or other respiratory symptoms should immediately reach out to the first testing centres. Testing centres are made available at all block levels, all tertiary care centres will have all these facilities.”
The minister also assured that the state is in a prepared stage to tackle the Covid situation in the state and said people coming from areas with high positivity rate are requested to take personal precautionary measures which include self-isolation.
