Shillong: The Urban Affairs Minister of Meghalaya, Sniawbhalang Dhar, has been tested positive for COVID-19. This development has come to the fore a few days after Health Minister Al Hek tested positive for the disease.
Senior health official Dr. Aman War informed that the minister who tested positive is currently under self-isolation
“Contact tracing is being conducted to categorize as to who are high risk and low-risk contacts of the minister,” he further said.
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Dhar is the third Cabinet Minister from Meghlaya to be tested positive for the virus. Earlier, two ministers – Alexander Laloo Hek and James K Sangma -- had also tested positive for COVID-19. While Sangma had recovered from the viral infection, Hek is still undergoing isolation.
The COVID-19 death toll in Meghalaya rose to 87 Thursday with two more fatalities reported in East Khasi Hills.
Dr. War attributed 80 percent of the deaths in the state to co-morbidities and added that the health department has collected data of elderly persons and patients with co-morbidities.
The state also recorded 113 recoveries and 77 new cases on Thursday.
Informing this, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma tweeted, “#COVID19 Update | #Meghalaya 113 individuals have recovered from coronavirus in the State today. Total Active Cases: 1326 Total BSF and Armed Forces: 49 Total Others: 1277 Total Recovered: 7890”
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