SHILLONG: Concerned over the rising COVID-19 fatality rate in the state, the state government has ascribed most of these deaths to comorbidity. The matter was discussed at length during the daily review meetings of the government with the health officials and directed for tackling the fatality rate on a priority.
Speaking to the press here on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the high fatality rate recently was the focal point of discussion at the review meeting to know the reason behind the rising trend.
He pointed out that the most of the deceased fell victim to co-morbidity and not directly to COVID-19 as they were infected with the virus while they were undergoing treatment.
“The patients were suffering from co-morbidities and not directly from COVID. There are those who suffer from diabetes, BP, kidney failure but then while they are still being treated for their ailments, they unfortunately contracted the virus which has contributed to the disease which led to their death”, he said.
“We have assessed very minutely and we will ensure that the fatality rate should not rise”, he added.
It may be mentioned that the state has recently seen a rise in the number of casualties which climbed to 42 on Wednesday with two more deaths in the state.
On the other hand, Tynsong was asked about the opening up of Iewduh to which he said that the state government has no control over it and the recommendations made for reopening is from the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and the District Council.
It may be mentioned that Iewduh was reopened partially in June.
170 new cases, 153 recoveries
Meghalaya registered an abnormally high number of 170 new COVID cases on Wednesday even as two more succumbed to the virus.
South West Garo Hills recorded its first casualty after 68-year-old Rehana Begum from Mahendraganj, who was admitted at Ampati Civil Hospital on September 17, passed away on September 22.
75-year-old Deepak Dutta from Kench’s Trace, opposite Circuit House, passed away on September 23.
With 170 new cases on Wednesday and the confirmed tally standing at 4961, the state is now precariously close to surging past the 5000-mark.
East Khasi Hills reported 117 cases, Ri Bhoi- 37, West Garo Hills and North Garo Hills- 5 each and West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills- 3 each, taking the active tally to 2060.
In East Khasi Hills, new cases were reported from localities like Keating Road, Nongmensong, Mawprem, Golf Link and Rilbong while in Ri Bhoi several cases were reported from the North Eastern Police Academy.
Meanwhile, 153 people recovered on Wednesday taking the total number of recoveries to 2859. The new recoveries included 113 from East Khasi Hills, 17 from Ri Bhoi, 17 from West Garo Hills, 3 from South West Garo Hills, 2 from East Jaintia Hills and one from South Garo Hills.
