SHILLONG, Jan 15: On the eve of the first phase of the vaccination drive, Meghalaya government has reminded the public to not lower their guard and adhere to all protocols until a majority of the population has been inoculated.
Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare department, Sampath Kumar, on Friday, stressed on the need to maintain COVID-19 health protocols till herd immunity is achieved.
Admitting that the number single-day COVID-19 cases has come down in the state after witnessing a peak, Kumar asserted that the Meghalaya is one of the few states that followed rigorous protocols and as such even now anybody who enters the state is being tested.
His statement assumes significance as at present, the state only 161 active cases, in contrast to when there were over 2,000 active cases.
Sampath Kumar elucidated that one of the factors for decline in the number of COVID-19 infections in Meghalaya is that the public in general followed quarantine orders and other protocols sincerely even as assistance was offered from various corners of the society.
Stating that the government used extensive data, Kumar said that the health workers in the state have mastered the treatment for COVID-19 which caused many to recuperate from the virus.
In addition, Kumar said that Meghalaya was the first state to bring behavioural change management strategy, which was followed by many.
The strategy has even been appreciated by the Union government.
He, however, cautioned that COVID-19 appropriate behaviour has to go hand in hand with the vaccination drive, while adding that people need to remain vigilant.