NONGSTOIN/Tura: Health Minister AL Hek and Food and Civil Supplies Minister James PK Sangma on Tuesday reviewed preparedness in West Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills in the wake of rising cases of COVID-19 across the country.
Asking the people not to panic, the heath minister informed that the state is still free of coronavirus cases till date.
Hek added that the government, however, needs people’s cooperation in return by adhering strictly to the health advisory issued.
The purpose of the minister’s visit was to interact and check the preparedness of WKH district in handling the situation in case of any possible outbreak, and to also take stock of the facilities available there.
Hek also visited Nursing Hostel which was set up as one of the quarantine care centres at Nongstoin.
Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa informed that the district administration has set up one corona care centre and another one quarantine care centre.
He added that another two spare quarantine centres have been set up in Mairang and Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division.
Lyngwa also convened a separate meeting with all the Rapid Response Team at the Conference Hall, DC Office, Nongstoin.
The meeting discussed preparation for distribution of essential commodities, raising awareness among the people of the district, preventive measures and assessment of all the people in different villages of the district for preparation.
Lyngwa, during the meeting, urged all the members of the Rapid Response Team to be prepared for any possible COVID-19 outbreak in the district.
He also urged the surveillance team to take necessary steps in the remote villages of the district so that the remote villagers are not deprived of any treatment.
In West Garo Hills, James held a review meeting with the officials of West Garo Hills District Administration including Health, Supply and Information & Public Relations at Tura Circuit House.
Stating that he wanted to see how prepared the concerned departments were, James asked the officers to be prepared to cope up with situation in the aftermath of 21-day lockdown.
WGH DC Ram Singh informed Sangma that the process was on for setting up of a testing centre as well as isolation centres.
Singh also informed that the supply of vegetables from outside the state has been stopped after Assam reported COVID-19 cases recently.
“The district has been promoting sale and consumption of locally available vegetables instead,” Singh said.
James was informed that supply and distribution of LPG, however, was one of the main concerns.
DMHO, Tura, Dr MR Sangma apprised James of Pastoral Centre and SMELC Building, Dakopgre been made ready as isolation centres.
The minister, during the meeting, also asked the district administration to look into the availability of personal protective equipment for the police on duty at checkpoints and screening points.
