A driver of a milk van who came to Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district from neighbouring Assam tested positive for COVID-19 on June 26 taking the total tally in the state to 47.
With the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in Assam, especially Guwahati, the Meghalaya government has advised residents of the state to avoid travelling to the neighbouring state.
“One more traveller who came from Assam has tested positive for COVID-19 in Ri-Bhoi district and has been kept under quarantine,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted.
Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek informed that the patient, who is from Umden village, Ri-Bhoi district had been working in Guwahati for two months after which he returned on June 24 and was tested on arrival.
“He is asymptomatic and under treatment in quarantine,” Hek said.
With the latest detection, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya has gone up to four even as 42 persons have recovered from the infection till date.
Hek informed that of the 18,037 samples sent for testing, 17,741 returned negative while the outcome of 250 tests were awaited, adding that 18,358 residents of Meghalaya who had been stranded in other parts of the country have returned till date.
The Meghalaya government has advised residents of the state to avoid travelling to Assam with the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in the neighbouring state. “We further request people from the state to avoid going down to Guwahati as the Assam government on Friday came out with notification of total lockdown from June 28. Therefore, in compliance to the notification, the Meghalaya government is requesting to kindly avoid going down to Guwahati except in those cases which are unavoidable,” Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong appealed.
He informed that the chief secretary would issue notifications through the various deputy commissioners, appealing the citizens to avoid going to Guwahati, Assam except during unavoidable circumstances but with proper permission.
“The latest case came from Guwahati. He is a driver of a vehicle for supplying milk. We have directed the deputy commissioners to ensure people are restricted from going outside the state,” he said.
