City docs discuss measures
SHILLONG: The state government has constituted an advisory committee comprising of medical experts to seek suggestions from the latter on how to handle the dynamic situations arising out of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Chief Secretary MS Rao, after holding deliberations with senior and experienced doctors of private hospitals of the city here on Tuesday, said that the committee will meet frequently to keep evaluating and advising government on how to move forward as far as tackling the deadly disease is concerned.
The meeting also deliberated on certain recommendation for Union government to adopt comprising certain protocols which could benefit not only the state but the entire country.
Considering the situation that may arise if there is an all-out outbreak, Rao said that all necessary measures have been taken and various defence establishments have offered to extend their help.
He said that the most important point which emerged out of the meeting was the fact that the state, despite not having any positive COVID-19 case, must focus on preventive measures. Among the most vulnerable groups are the students and other professionals, who are residents of the state but have come to the state recently.
“The recommendation for them (the vulnerable group) is to be in home isolation or home quarantine,” he said.
Stating that the government has, so far, been recommending people to go for home isolation, the chief secretary said that the government would now aggressively convey as to what it means by home isolation.
“Person coming from outside should also maintain distance from other family members or else everyone in the family becomes a suspect. Therefore, we call it isolation,” he said.
He said that among the youth, anyone can be a carrier but they may not have any symptoms. However, family members, particularly old people, may become a victim, he said, adding that the government has decided to give publicity to the meaning of home quarantine and what are of most importance while on quarantine.
The meeting also discussed strategies on scenarios in case of possible outbreak in the state.
Rao, while maintaining that due to small population the state has not seen the spread of the virus, said that the government will focus on urban areas which have more population conglomeration.