Doctor dies, family members test positive

SHILLONG: Shillong woke up to hear the passing away of first positive COVID-19 patient, Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang, early Wednesday morning. He was tested positive on Monday.
Later in the day, it was confirmed that six persons, including four family members and helpers of the doctor, also tested positive for COVID-19.
“I am deeply saddened to inform that the first COVID-19 positive patient in Meghalaya passed away at 2.45 am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace,” the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, announced on Wednesday morning.
The government also said that since the detection of the first case, 185 samples were collected, including 161 from East Khasi Hills and 24 from Nongpoh, adding among the samples tested from the first batch of 68, six were positive and six were sent for re-confirmation. The persons who tested positive included three males, two females and a child.
Later, the Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare department, Sampath Kumar, said that the Guwahati Medical College Hospital informed on Wednesday that the 50 samples that had been sent on April 14 have tested negative for COVID-19.
Earlier, 52 tests were carried out by NEIGRIHMS and all were found negative.
The government is awaiting the results of 43 samples sent to Barpeta Medical College and these are expected soon.
All the samples were taken from the medical staff and in-patients of Bethany Hospital.
Kumar said that some of the samples had to be sent to Guwahati and Barpeta due to urgency of the matter and limited capacity of the testing facility in NEIGRIHMS.