SHILLONG, Dec 21: Meghalaya has got its own laboratory to conduct genome sequencing of the Covid positive cases, including Omicron sub-variant BF.7, Principal Secretary of Health Sampath Kumar said on Wednesday.
“We have the capacity to do the genome sequencing within the state. All the positive cases are being put for genome sequencing. Fortunately, we have very few cases,” Kumar told The Shillong Times.
He said the state is gearing up in terms of preparedness as the cases are rising in China, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States.
Kumar said the Health Department managed to put in place a very good system during the first and the second wave of the pandemic through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme unit. “We have good infrastructure and facilities in place but we will need to review everything, including oxygen support system and others,” he said.
“We are currently taking stock of everything to ensure every necessary facility and infrastructure function or is put in place. We will take calibrated measures based on ground assessment,” he added.
Presently, Meghalaya has two active cases. According to official figures, the state so far has had 96,782 confirmed cases. Altogether 95,156 people recovered. The total number of deaths was 1,624.
Between December 12 and 18, two new cases were detected. The number of tests conducted during the period was 212 in East Khasi Hills, 25 in Ri Bhoi and 129 in West Garo Hills. The positivity rate in the past seven days was 0.52%.
Kumar advised people to wear a mask in crowded places.
“This is the only way we can protect ourselves. This is what we have been emphasizing. We request everyone to follow the Covid norms,” he said.
On whether the health workers, including doctors and nurses, will be reappointed on contractual basis if the cases rise, he said the government has gone ahead with the recruitment of doctors and the work is almost complete to fill up the backlog.
He also said the Health Department continued with the contractual staff, appointed during the early stage of Covid, in places where there is a requirement of additional manpower.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the Covid situation in India and preparedness of public health system for surveillance, containment and management of the pandemic along with Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, senior officials and public health experts were present.
Mandaviya was briefed on the global and domestic scenarios. He stressed on the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains, especially in view of upcoming festive season.
Underlying and reiterating that Covid is not over yet, he directed the officials to be fully geared up and strengthen surveillance. He urged people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated.
Further, he gave directions to strengthen the surveillance system for genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network.
The states and Union Territories have been requested to send samples of all Covid positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any.
