Meghalaya: Over 3000 people screened for COVID 19; 5 suspected cases test negative
Shillong, Mar 21:
A total number of 3000 plus people in the State have been screened for COVID-19 till Friday.
This was informed by Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Sampath Kumar here today.
Kumar said that the Government, so far, is screening people in places like Dawki, Byrnihat, Dalu and Bajengdoba. He also informed that a total number of five cases had been tested at NEIGRIHMS and all were negative.
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The Commissioner and Secretary, however, informed that there were two people with travel history who had gone for check up to NEIGRHIMS today adding that both of them did not have symptoms of corona virus.
According to him, they were both advised by the doctors for home quarantine and home isolation.
Meanwhile, Kumar informed that from today, many of the districts have started the process of asking the people coming from Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and other states or infected countries to register with the Government.
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"We have promulgated regulation after invoking the provisions of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. We are asking those who have travel history to at least stay home which is called as 'home quarantine'. This is what we have been communicating to everyone since the cases of people tested for COVID-10 are increasing in the country," he said.
Kumar said that the only way to stop the spreading of this virus is by maintaining social distancing especially those people who are exposed to those areas which are badly hit by the virus.
"For the next 14 days they have to be very careful by remaining isolated and not to meet other people. They can stay in the room and actually not going out and meeting people. They have to be careful since it is also important for their family members," Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare said.
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Furthermore, he said that the State Government is actually trying to track those people who are coming from outside and who are returning home from their workplaces and colleges.
Stating that majority of those who are coming from outside are all young people, he said that it is important that they go for 'home quarantine' since it will take two to 14 days for the symptoms of corona virus to show.
It may be mentioned that the Government today have to sanitize market places like, Khyndai Lad, Polo, Laitumkhrah, Ïewduh among others.
Census exercise suspended
Meanwhile, the State Government has decided to suspend the census exercises in the State in view of the spread of COVID-19.
"The census excercise will be suspended temporarily in the State," a senior government official informed.
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It may be mentioned that the new dates notified for census operations in Meghalaya are from May 1 to June 14.
The Government had earlier fixed the census excercise from April 1 to May 15 this year.
In Meghalaya, one enumerator will be given to cover a population of around 800 populations and the enumerators will be Government employees.
Those found spitting in public places will be penalised
The Shillong Municipal Board mandates upon all the citizens not to spit in public places. "Anyone caught spitting in public places will be penalised as per provisions of the Meghalaya Municipal Act, 1979," SMB CEO stated in the public notice which he had issued.
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Regulated markets to remain shut till March 31
Moreover, the Horticulture department has advised all the regulated market under the control of the Meghalaya State Agriculture Marketing Board to be closed down with immediate effect till March 31 to prevent any transmission and outbreak of COVID-19.
This is according to the letter of Director of Horticulture which is adressed to the Secretary Meghalaya State Agriculture Marketing Board on Friday.
