TURA: Over four hundred samples have been collected from members of the public in Tura and other markets of the district in the last two weeks as part of random testing ordered by the government but no cases have so far been detected.
The random tests are being carried out to ascertain whether there are unreported cases within the community so as to quickly contain any possible spread of the disease.
West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh told The Shillong Times that a total of 434 samples have been collected from random tests since the time it was launched on July 2.
“Out of the 434 tests results of 243 have been released and they are all negative. We are awaiting the results of another 191,” stated the DC.
He also informed that since the lockdown took effect a total of 1465 COVID-19 tests (including the random tests) have been conducted, primarily on returnees, of which nine were found positive. Results of 409 are awaited.
The random testing to identify possible carriers of the corona virus, especially asymptomatic ones, comes at a time when several people are being caught violating COVID-19 protocols by not informing officials during entry into the region.
In some cases authorities have filed police FIRs after being tipped off by locality surveillance teams or neighbours.
In a span of less than two weeks, there have been three FIRs lodged against people who evaded health surveillance and entered Tura.
On July 6 one Mantu Saha from Singimari in Assam who entered Tura through Garobadha had a case registered against him for not informing the authorities.
A day later, another violator Kalseyuddin of Assam who entered from Mankachar was found in Tura and a case registered against him too.
Two other persons, Habibulah Bepari and Md. Dulal Ali of Beldarpara Tura were also named in FIRs for illegal entry from the neighbouring state.
“This is probably just a tip off the iceberg. Who knows how many more may have sneaked in all these while,” worried citizens question.
One of the most recent cases of Covid-19 protocol violation was by a NEHU University professor from Tura campus who instead of reporting his arrival from Guwahati, this week, instead headed straight to his rented place in RC road locality of Tura. He was quickly identified by surveillance teams and has since been placed under mandatory quarantine and his tests taken.
Medical experts have long been pointing out that asymptomatic carriers of the disease who shy away from reporting their travel history and avoid screening tests pose the greatest danger to spreading this infectious disease across individuals and communities.
The silver lining in this fight against the novel corona virus (COVID-19 infection) is the active and positive role being played by members of the community in their respective localities keeping a watch for anyone who may seem out of place.
