Spread of COVID-19 confined to one source: Tynsong

SHILLONG, APR 25: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has said the COVID-19 outbreak in the state is confined to one source and that the government is focusing on the primary and secondary contacts to contain the further spread of deadly virus.

Addressing media persons on Saturday, Tynsong said there has been no fresh cases of coronavirus reported in the state during the past few days.

“The number of positive cases stand at 12 of which 11 are active and one died due to the disease,” he said.

He also informed that 1097 of 1169 samples tested today, were negative while results of 60 tests are awaited.

It may be mentioned here that the Director of Bethany hospital, (L) Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang was the first COVID-19 patient. He died two days later after being tested positive for coronavirus on April 13.

Eight of his family members, including his wife, children and grandchildren have tested positive along with two domestic helpers at his home.

Later, a 42-year-old woman, who is a family friend, was also tested positive.

Tynsong informed said a committee headed by the Commissioner & Secretary in-charge health Sampath Kumar was constituted along with doctors and other medical experts as its members.

Tynsong said the committee has found out that the disease has started from one source.

The son-in-law of the doctor who returned to Shillong from outside, was tested negative twice, though many suspected him to be the main carrier of of the virus in the family.

“After assessment done by health experts it was found that the spread of the disease confined to one source (as those infected are mainly from the family),” Tynsong said.

The deputy chief minister said that is why, the government is focusing on the primary and secondary contacts to combat, control and prevent the further spread of the virus.

“The deputy commissioner, East Khasi Hills District has already constituted 48 teams to monitor (the health condition) over 5878 people who are under home quarantine,” he said.

Tynsong however clarified that it is not mandatory to conduct tests on all of them. “Testing will only be for those people who have symptoms of the virus,” he added.

On the other hand, the deputy chief minister said the testing capacity at present is 140 per day including 50 given by Assam government.

“The testing capacity of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) will be enhanced by another 70 in addition to the existing 90 tests by Monday or Tuesday. The institute is in the process of installing the new machine. With this, the state will be able to increase the testing capacity to over 200 per day,” he said.

Tynsong further informed that the government is in the process of setting up the new testing facility at Tura, West Garo Hills and it will be made operationalise by the end of this month.

“The Centre has also agreed to provide another testing centre at Nazareth hospital for Shillong. I hope the state will be able to meet its testing requirements once the new testing facilities are put in place to effectively combat against the spread of the virus,” he said.

By Our Reporter