SHILLONG, Jan 5: Director of Health Services (MI), Dr Aman War on Wednesday confirmed that the state has only one active case of the Omicron variant as three other patients have already recovered.
“As of now we have only one case of the Omicron infection while three have recovered. So there is no need to be alarmed. The active case is under strict isolation and doing well and we are confident the patient will recover soon,” Dr War said.
Speaking about the tourist from Assam who was detected positive with the Omicron variant, the DHS said he had returned back halfway from Shillong. “The tourist had reported at Umling on December 21 and his sample was taken the same day. After reaching halfway to Shillong this 13-year-old minor along with his parents returned back. They never reported at the hotel they had booked at Langkyrding,” he said, adding, “We have informed our counterparts in Assam.”
“The patient from Happy Valley has also recovered. She had come from Qatar and had tested positive on December 29 following which the genome sequencing was done and the report was received on January 4 and she was found to be Omicron positive,” he added.
He informed that initially the patient was isolated at home and later on her request she was shifted to a corona care centre and is likely to be discharged in a day or two.
“There is only one active case in Laitumkhrah who under strict isolation with no symptom. The patient is doing well,” he added.
Dr War pointed out that from December 7 onwards samples of all positive cases were being sent for genome sequencing. For those coming from outside the country, it is being done on a priority basis.
Genome sequencing usually takes 5-6 days but in emergency cases the report can be obtained in one day.
Allaying any imminent fear from the Omicron variant, Dr War cautioned that public that the government may be forced to enforce strict restrictions if the laid down protocols are not followed.
“Our appeal to the citizens of the state is that if we follow the protocols strictly then we can arrest the spread of the disease,” he added.
Pointing out that the restrictions have been imposed after taking into consideration the transmissibility of the virus which is very fast, he said, “If we follow strictly the protocols – wear masks, maintain physical distancing and sanitize our hands frequently – I think we have nothing to fear.”