SHILLONG, July 22: The Health department has allayed the fear over the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the state, saying the situation is not alarming and all the cases are mild.
Altogether 96 cases were recorded in the state on Friday which took the tally of active cases to 461.
Majority of the new cases were in A and B categories.
The state also recorded four deaths in the last two days which took the death toll to 1,599.
The deceased include a three-month-old baby from West Garo Hills and a 73-year-old woman who died at NEIGRIHMS. On Thursday, a three-month-old baby and a 33-year-old man had died at NEIGRIHMS.
Talking to journalists, Additional Secretary of Health Ramkumar S admitted the spike in new cases in the last few days but added it has been the country-wide phenomenon.
Stating that the new cases are of an Omicron sub-variant, he said genome sequencing is being done on a regular basis.
He said most patients of the active cases are in home isolation. He said 46 of them are in categories A and B while some are in category C.
“We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis but we are not alarmed. I request everyone to take the booster vaccine dose,” he said.
Ruling out any plans to impose fresh restrictions, he said people have learnt to adapt to the new norms and live with the virus. “We have been telling this from day one. COVID has spread out everywhere. We’ll have to start to learn to live along with this virus because the virus is not going to suddenly go away,” he added.
The senior health official advised people to take the vaccine and follow protocols such as avoiding large gatherings and wearing masks in public places.
It may be added that the Meghalaya government has expressed concern over the surge in COVID-19 infections and has urged citizens to follow the requisite protocols to prevent further transmission.
“All eligible citizens are advised to avail free precautionary booster doses and special vaccination camps will be held in big office complexes, industrial establishments, interstate bus terminus, schools and colleges till September 30,” an order issued by the Home department earlier this week said.
The government advisory on COVID protocol seems to have had no effect on citizens as only a handful of people are found wearing a mask in public or crowded areas.
Schools, colleges, government establishments and banking institutions are yet to issue circulars/orders on masks.
