SHILLONG: The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a body blow to Meghalaya’s efforts to contain the virus, with two more persons succumbing on Monday, taking the death toll in the state to 12.
Director of Health Services (MI), Dr Aman War informed that 65-year-old Jagadish Prasad Shah, resident of Riat Laban, was brought dead at Nazareth Hospital at 10.45 pm on Sunday. The deceased’s sample was later tested to be COVID positive.
60-year-old positive patient Sunil Kumar Jha, resident of Jhalupara, who was admitted at NEIGRIHMS on Sunday evening died on Monday. He was suffering from co-morbidities, the DHS informed late Monday evening.
NEIGRIHMS Medical Superintendent Dr Noor Topno informed that Jha, who was COVID positive, was brought to the institute in a critical condition and was immediately put on ventilator. He was also suffering from diabetes.
The two deaths notwithstanding, it was a relatively good day for Meghalaya with a record number of 113 persons recovering from the virus while 26 new cases were reported.
Health Minister AL Hek informed that 14 cases were detected in East Khasi Hills, four in East Jaintia Hills, five in West Garo Hills, and one each in Ri Bhoi, South West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills.
The total number of active cases in the state stands at 1,196 with 854 cases in East Khasi Hills, 116 in West Garo Hills, 80 in East Garo Hills, 55 in Ri Bhoi, 45 in West Khasi Hills, 18 in East Jaintia Hills, 14 in South Garo Hills, nine in North Garo Hills, three in South West Garo Hills and two in West Jaintia Hills.
The recovery figure has gone up to 1162. 80 people recovered in East Khasi Hills, 26 in West Garo Hills, three in East Jaintia Hills and two each in Ri Bhoi and North Garo Hills.
Out of 88,963 samples sent for testing, 85,924 have tested negative while results of 671 samples were awaited.
As of now, 32,573 people have returned to the state.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed that some skilled workers, who are residents of Meghalaya, have returned to the state but none of them have tested positive.
