COVID deaths among youths spiral in GH

TURA/NONGSTOIN, July 24: The race against time for authorities in Garo Hills to check the spread of COVID-19 is getting intense with each passing day as the COVID-19-related casualties have once again started to increase, especially among the younger generation.
On Friday morning, a 3 years and 8 months old girl child, hailing from Dabrang in Baghmara, South Garo Hills, died from the virus, a day after she was tested positive.
On Thursday, too, two young adults, among three victims in the age group of 23 and 35 years, succumbed to COVID-19. While one of the victims hailed from the outskirts of Tura, the other hailed from South West Garo Hills.
A day earlier, another 23-year-old woman, who hailed from Dobasipara area of Tura, lost her life to COVID-19.
The increasing number of COVID-19-related fatalities among the young has started to perturb the authorities in the region, more so in the light of many refusing to get inoculated against COVID-19 notwithstanding the perils that continue to lurk.
“Both the victims aged 23 and 35 years old who lost their lives to COVID-19 on Thursday were unvaccinated,” said West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh when contacted.
It is worth mentioning that till date, the COVID statistics have revealed that almost all the victims were unvaccinated against COVID-19.
“This is why we are pushing for vaccination so that people are protected against serious complications brought about by COVID-19,” Singh said.
On Friday, 85 cases were recorded from West Garo Hills. The largest number of infections was once again detected from Tura and the positivity rate in the district stood at 4.87 per cent.
Containment zones
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Mairang Civil Sub-Division has declared Pyndengumiong village and localities such as Lumiew, Dongbir, Donggate, Lummaralong, Langstiehrim and Umwiehsup as containment zones.
“As per the report received from the Block Medical Officer, Mairang Block, there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases in Pyndengumiong and other localities in Mairang,” a statement in this regard said.