GUWAHATI/ SHILLONG: Northeast’s first case of suspected coronavirus infection was detected in Assam with a four-year-old girl testing positive on Saturday while Meghalaya restricted entry into the state to certain points.
Deputy Commissioner Roshni Aparanji Korati said that results of the test done in Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) laboratory came positive on Saturday evening.
“We have sent the samples to ICMR-RMRC laboratory at Lahowal in Dibrugarh district for a recheck. The result is expected tomorrow afternoon,” she added.
Korati informed that the girl’s family hails from Pulibor area of Jorhat district and they had recently travelled from Bihar in a train to Mariani in Jorhat.
“The girl, her sister and her mother came to Jorhat on March 19. Health workers visited the family on March 20 and brought them to JMCH as the girl exhibited symptoms.
A sample was taken for testing and today (Saturday) evening, the result came,” she informed.
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that the suspected victim was admitted in Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) where she was subjected to tests.
The minister said blood sample has also been sent to ICMR laboratory at Lahowal in Dibrugarh and final result on her status will be known.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya has restricted entry into the state only through 11 points.
In a statement, the chief secretary on Saturday informed that entry will be allowed through Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills, Saitsama, Umransu and Dawki in West Jaintia Hills, Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi, Dainadubi and Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills, Phulbari, Tikrikilla and Dalu in West Garo Hills and Garodoba in South West Garo Hills.
He also said that people entering Meghalaya are required to mandatorily register on the COVID-19 monitoring system (meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid) in addition to undergoing health screening as required.
Proof of registration, either a system-generated acknowledgement or an SMS confirming registration should be checked at all entry points.
In case of any technical challenges, registration can be done in paper at the point of entry.
“All deputy commissioners and superintendents of police are to put in place a system so that the registration and checking at entry points is done in an orderly manner,” the chief secretary said. (With Agency report)
