TURA [Nov 10]: Two days after attending a candlelight vigil, Bishop of Tura, Fr. Andrew R Marak, has been admitted to corona care centre after testing positive for COVID-19.
Several attendees, including three priests from Bishop House, have now been directed to self-quarantine themselves.
The Bishop had attended a candlelight vigil for arrested Jesuit priest, Fr Stan Swamy, at Tura Circuit House Road junction on Sunday along with several religious leaders from different Christian denominations under the banner of Tura Based Christian Churches (TBCC).
Marak, who is over 70 years old and is asthmatic, reportedly began experiencing uneasiness two days ago. He, however, remains in good health.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Tuesday night, Auxiliary Bishop of Tura, Fr CJ Jose, said, “His symptoms began with weakness and loss of appetite around Friday or Saturday. He is much better now”.
Meanwhile, the participants of the candlelight vigil are awaiting their COVID tests results.
According to the bishop’s secretary, Fr Rikseng, the bishop began experiencing symptoms of breathlessness accompanied with a congested nose and a slight fever.
He then decided to get himself tested via RAT on Monday and was declared positive for COVID.
Meanwhile, the medical team from Holy Cross Hospital has decided to shift the bishop to Shillong for better medical care. He is expected to be shifted on Wednesday to Nazareth Hospital in Shillong.
In Shillong, Health Minister, AL Hek and DHS (MI) Dr Aman War along with other officials paid a visit to the AW Thomas Girls’ Orphanage at Jaiaw Lumsyntiew where 40 children had tested positive recently.
Hek and the visiting officials waited outside the gate and addressed the inmates through loudspeaker.
Later, Hek informed that all the children were asymptomatic, and doctors were constantly monitoring the health of the children.
The minister also donated some equipment to the inmates.
Meanwhile, the state on Wednesday saw 67 new COVID-19 infections while 129 people recovered from the virus.
The number of active cases in the state now stands at 961 with a total of 9241 recoveries so far.
