SHILLONG, April 28: After a long gap, Meghalaya recorded a Covid-related death with the passing of a 46-year-old man died in West Garo Hills on Thursday. The government’s Covid dashboard recorded the death on Friday.
Following the death, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh asked people to take necessary precautions and follow Covid etiquette.
Downplaying the Covid situation, she said the government does not want the public to panic unnecessarily but caution should be exercised. “The deceased patient came very late to the hospital,” she said.
As on Friday, Meghalaya has 17 active cases –10 in Garo Hills, five in East Khasi Hills, and two in West Jaintia Hills district. A few of the 17 have been kept in the isolation wards of hospitals.
Lyngdoh said the details of the patient would be sent to the Death Audit Committee to assess whether or not it was a Covid-related death. She said the situation is under control and negated any chances of a pandemic-like scenario.
“We request the public to adhere to Covid protocols so that we can contain and not worsen the situation,” Lyngdoh said.
The minister also held a meeting with the officials of the Health Department to discuss the state’s preparedness.
Making it clear that the government is not looking to impose any restrictions, she said that the Covid centres are prepared and ready to cater to any situation.
“The public has also been advised that anyone with symptoms should immediately reach out to the first testing centre available at all block levels. Citizens travelling from high positivity rate areas have been requested to take personal precautionary measures and self-isolate themselves,” Lyngdoh said.
On the availability of vaccines, the minister said the department would meet with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday to discuss the stand of the government on vaccines since the Centre has asserted it would not provide vaccines.
Asked if there would be strict measures if the situation worsens, Lyngdoh said the government would not like to presume the situation would get out of hand.
The minister said no new variant has been detected in the cases registered in the state so far.
