SHILLONG: Despite all the precautions and sealing of inter-state border, the contagious COVID-19 has finally found its way to Shillong as a doctor in Bethany Hospital, Nongrim Hills was tested positive with the infection on Monday.
This is the first COVID-19 positive case in the state.
Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek said the matter has been discussed with the chief minister and he has already directed the Commissioner and Secretary, Health department to ensure that no patient from the hospital, where the doctor was functioning, exits the premises.
“The hospital itself will now be turned into a quarantine camp and the entire hospital staff, family members of the doctor and even the attendants who visited the hospital will be tested,” Hek said.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that it has come as a surprise for the government.
Admitting that it is a challenge, he added that the government is fully prepared.
The chief minister said Bethany hospitals in Shillong and Nongpoh have been closed and quarantined even as he added after contact tracing, the government will trace all primary and secondary contacts and all will be tested.
Asking people not to panic, he added that the government will ensure that the virus does not move forward for which the government needs people tracing.
Stating that the government will take care of everything for the patients who are inside the Bethany hospital, Hek added that he is also in touch with the family members of the doctor.
According to sources, the family members of the doctor were ferried to NEIGRIHMS for testing and they will remain in quarantine.
Sources also said NEIGRIHMS has the capacity to test 100 patients every day and the state government will also take the assistance of Assam for testing of samples as large number of people will now have to be tested.
Chief Secretary MS Rao said the family of the doctor has a travel history and it is not a case of community transmission.
Stating that health and district surveillance teams are working out the details of contact tracing, he said all those who visited Bethany Hospital even if they have not come into direct contact with the doctor should contact the health authorities immediately.
According to sources, the son-in-law of the 65-year-old doctor has a travel history as he is a pilot working with Air India.
Sources added that he came from abroad and arrived in the city from Manipur on March 22.
A government statement said that all residents of the state who may have visited Bethany Hospital in the city on or after March 22 or Bethany Hospital, Nongpoh on or after March 30 should immediately register themselves by calling 108, 1070 or visiting the link http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid/login.htm.
Stating that the government is fully prepared to handle the situation, he said there is no need for the public to panic.
He, however, recommended that all residents of the state must use a protective two-layer cotton cloth material to cover nose, mouth and chin as a mask and follow the hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing protocols.
