COVID-19: 6 Relatives & Helpers of Deceased Meghalaya Patient Test 'Positive'

Shillong, April 15, 2020:

Six relatives and helpers of the Bethany Hospital doctor who had passed away earlier today have also tested positive for the new coronavirus or Covid-19. So far, 68 cases related to the first patient of Meghalaya have been tested.

Confirming this via Twitter earlier today, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma wrote, "Of the 68 tested so far, 6 have come out positive who are all family members & helpers of the first Covid19 positive case. 6 other cases are being retested. All the rest of the cases are negative"

It may be recalled here that the first case in the state was confirmed on April 13. The patient passed away around 3 am in the morning. The entire Hospital was sealed and the ones present at Bethany were asked to go into quarantine with immediate effect.

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Yesterday, the Meghalaya administration had informed that a relative of the first positive case of the COVID-19 in Meghalaya could possibly have visited countries affected by the virus.

Inside Northeast has received reports that his son-in-law recently came back from USA, and was a pilot there. He also had a travelling history to Imphal n stayed for 3 nights in Imphal. The doctor who passed away  was on regular OPD in the Bethany Hospitals in Shillong as well as in Nongpoh. The symptoms reportedly started showing after 20 days.

“We cannot say it with full proof evidence but the most likely scenario is linked to one of the family members travel history. We are still investigating the matter”, the Chief Minister said while addressing the press.

“It is time for the citizens to act responsibly. I would urge the citizens of Meghalaya, particularly Shillong city not to stigmatize, this is the time when we have to show to the rest of the world and the country that we are together and we will fight this together,” Sangma said.

Urging the citizens to lend their support, the Meghalaya chief minister said that in these difficult times people have to remain united and cooperate with the government by adhering to the directives issued by the government.

“There is a notion in people’s mind that this disease can spread by looking at somebody. I think we need to get the facts clear, you know, if we are maintaining our social norms, if we ensure personal hygiene the chances of getting the virus is less,” the Chief Minister stated, while urging the media to also create the sensitisation.

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He urged the people not to overreact but be careful. “Be careful for yourself and I’m sure that by doing these basic things you’ll be able to protect yourself. It is very important to also know and people should understand that it is not that if you get infected that you will be on ventilator and you will be fighting for your life,” the Chief Minister added.

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