“The 11th active patient, who was tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday (April 20), is a close family friend of the index case (first COVID-19 patient). The person is under quarantine,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said in his daily media briefing on Tuesday.

He said a rapid anti-body test has been conducted today on all the 7 family members of the 11th positive patient and the all test results came out ‘negative’.

The CM also informed that of the total 933 samples tested, 821 were negative and the number of test results awaited is 100.

“As of now, we have 11 active cases in our state, an increase by one since yesterday. The condition of all the patients is stable,” he said.

Of these, three including the new case are admitted in the Shillong CIvil Hospital, which is designated as the COVID-19 hospital, while eight others are under home quarantine.

Sangma further informed that the state has received 7,500 rapid testing kits allotted by the government of India. “We have immediately using them also,” he said.

He said the government has also taken steps to increase the testing capacity of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).

“We have taken steps to increase the real time PCR test capacity by deploying the Gen Expert machines at the NEIGRIHMS. The government is currently waiting for the catriges which are due to arrive soon and the installation of these machines would enhance the state’s sample testing capacity to 80 more test per day in addition to the 90 test per day at NEIGRIHMS,” the CM said.

Earlier after a review meeting, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong informed that the health department is also on the job to trace the secondary contacts of the 11th positive patient, who is a resident of Mawprem.

He also said that the patient in fact had already gone for home quarantine even before the test result was out.

The deputy CM also expressed concern over the problem of stigma and discrimination due to the deadly virus as he appeal to the citizens to refrain from stigmatising people infected with the disease.

He also sought the support of the traditional heads, religious leaders and civil societies to ensure people cooperate with the directives of the government in order to prevent further spread of the contagious disease in the state.

By Our Reporter