MAWKYRWAT: A primary health centre in South West Khasi Hills has been temporarily closed after a person, who tested positive for COVID-19, visited the PHC, Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo, said on Wednesday.
The COVID-19-infected patient, who is a staff of the Civil Hospital, Shillong, had visited the Rangthong Primary Health Centre (PHC) on Tuesday to drop a family member who works at the PHC.
The PHC will remain closed for two days now.
The DC advised all staff of the PHC, who attended work on Tuesday and thereafter, to undergo home quarantine till further orders.
She also asked the public who visited the PHC on Tuesday and Wednesday to quarantine themselves at home and call the District Control Room for instructions.
Laloo also said that any member of the public who visited Rangthong PHC on August 4 and 5, will quarantine themselves at home and call up the District Control Room (6909904336/ 9485153533) for further instructions.
Mawkyrwat CHC has been entrusted to cater to all health requirements of villages falling under Rangthong PHC.
Meanwhile, the District Surveillance Officer (DSO) of South West Khasi Hills, Dr W Nary, informed that there are 21 primary contacts of the positive case, of which, five are high-risk contacts — all staff of Rangthong PHC. There are also four secondary contacts, he said.
“We will test them after one week as the best period to detect the virus is 5-7 days after being exposed to it,” the DSO said.
After hearing rumours about a nurse from Rangthong PHC testing positive, the DSO urged the people to refrain from spreading false news as it might give way to confusion and fear.
On the other hand, the District Medical & Health Officer (DM&HO) of South West Khasi Hills, Dr FR Lartang, has declared in a WhatsApp group that he had visited Rangthong PHC to treat people.