‘Isolation only way to defeat infection, 3-pronged strategy to combat virus’

TURA: With the state government having invoked the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulation 2020, all passengers coming into the state, including Garo Hills, from abroad and states where the novel coronavirus outbreak has taken place will have to go in for self-quarantine.
The government has prepared a three pronged strategy to tackle the disease for which it has prepared a comprehensive plan that includes concerted action to check the mode of transmission, flattening the epidemic curve, prevention and management strategy which targets tracking the transmission chain, strengthening health systems and including community capacity building.
“Isolation, Isolation, Isolation. This is the only way that the virus can be defeated because the disease is highly transmittable. Anyone exposed or who has contracted its symptoms cannot mix with others and need to stay isolated at home,” advised Health Commissioner and secretary P Sampath Kumar as he revealed that the government has prepared a three pronged strategy to tackle the medical crisis.
He expressed concern that many are following a heuristic approach that employs a practical method that is not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect or rational.
“With the invoking of the COVID-19 Regulation 2020 it is now a law and all arrivals have to go for home quarantine or face stern action,” warned Commissioner Kumar.
Meanwhile, the State Response Team of Meghalaya which comprises 18 different units will be holding, for the first time, mock drills to combat the virus across the state. The drills are scheduled to begin as early as next week.
The state health department has also put in place preparation for 20 tests per day for anyone displaying symptoms of the virus.
Across India, the central government has decided to raise the testing capacity from 5000 to 20,000 per day.
“Following the protocol for the virus detection, our state has so far conducted tests on five patients with the flu like symptoms but all the tests turned up negative. Only those having the symptoms and with a travel history to infected regions will be given the tests,” informed the health commissioner.