Coronavirus: 2 More 'Positive' Cases Detected in Meghalaya, NE Total Rises to 50

Shillong, April 18, 2020:

Two more coronavirus positive cases have been detected in the state of Meghalaya, taking the total number of cases in the State to 10. Both cases are from the house of the first patient: while one is a helper another is a relative. A single death has been reported so far from Meghalaya.

A total of 50 positive cases for coronavirus have been reported in the Northeastern region including 34 from Assam, 9 from Meghalaya, two each from Manipur and Tripura and one each from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. Two COVID-19 patients in the region (one each from Meghalaya and Assam) have died due to complications from the virus.

Meanwhile, the state's Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma who earlier today made the announcement on Twitter has said that 24,382 people have been screened in the state and 49,391 calls have been received in the helpline numbers, while 2557 people are in quarantine.

ALSO READ: Nagaland’s 1st COVID-19 Patient from Dimapur added to Tally of Assam?

A total of 140 are in the primary contact list of COVID-19 patients, while close to 4,775 are in the secondary contact list.

To combat the pandemic, the state has kept 30,000 PPEs in stock right now, and by tonight itself the Government will receive another shipment of 20,000 PPEs.

He informed that the government has been allocated 4000 rapid test kits, and the Government is said to be procuring more of those. "25 new ambulances have been ordered with life support facilities. We expect to receive them in about four days time. These 25 new ambulances are being funded by the CMRF contribution, which all of you have made at different levels,” he said to the media yesterday.

Moreover, Rs 5.50 cr has been received in the CM's Relief Fund and the funds will be invested in Corona Care Centres and other infrastructure requirements.

He informed that the government has decided to open grocery shops and essential commodities for four days in a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm. “This is being done to ensure that there is more timing given to the people so that they can buy without having to crowd,” the Chief Minister added.

ALSO READ: Gauhati High Court Directs Assam Police to Release Detention Camps Inmates amid Corona Crisis

The wholesale will be open for three days in a week: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Opining on the mis-use of social media yesterday, the CM said, “I would like to stress that a lot of news and lot of information is flowing in in social media and I think we really need to act responsibly in these kind of situations. I am very upset to see that certain individuals were giving out lists of patients who had visited Bethany Hospital. And I think this goes completely against the privacy of these patients and it is very very incorrect for everybody to do that.” He informed that an FIR in this case has been filed and action will be taken against the people who responsible for spreading "fake news" amid the coronavirus outbreak.

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