Coronavirus
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Informing that no COVID-19 case has been detected in Meghalaya, chief minister Conrad Sangma on Friday asked the students, working professionals outside the state, to inform the government while returning to the state.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma on Friday sought the cooperation of every citizen to fight the global pandemic disease

He said the state government is working on three strategies to fight the spread of the virus.

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The chief minister said the first strategy is to track and break the transmission chain, the second strategy is to strengthen the health care system by activating the health care facilities and the train the medical professionals.

The chief minister informed the third strategy is the involvement of the community and play their role to maintain clam and follow the guidelines properly.

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Those, who are returning to the state, should inform the government either by calling the helpline number 108 or respective Deputy Commissioner Office control room or by registering on the online registration system (meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid).

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, the Meghalaya chief minister said so far five tests were conducted, and all the tests have been found negative.

The persons, who have been tested, were those who came from outside the state.

“Till date, there has not been a single case detected in our state, but that does not mean we can be complacent. We need the cooperation of every citizen to fight coronavirus disease,” Sangma said in his address to the citizens of the state.

Students and working people who returned to the state have to inform the government and the health would be monitored in the next 14 days.

Medical volunteers will make a phone call to enquire about their health during the 14 days period and they require practicing self isolation in their homes.

He appealed to every citizen of the state to adhere to all the guidelines and advisories issued by the state government.

“India is currently at stage 2 of the pandemic, and we must all do our part to ensure that the country does not transition into stage 3 or 4,” the Chief Minister stated while urging the people to maintain social distancing including self quarantine, and maintain personal hygiene like handwash protocol.

He also urged the people to postpone all personal, professional and social activities during this crucial time and observed March 21 (Saturday) as ‘Corona Virus Awareness Day.’

All offices, banks (government and private), institutions, public places, market places and public transport will remain closed.

“I urge citizens to not look at this as a “Lockdown” but this time must be utilized and observed as a ‘Coronavirus Awareness Day’ to understand and prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease in the state by playing our part as individuals, families, locality and society at large,” he said.

On medical professionals and paramedics, commissioner and secretary (health), Sampath Kumar said all hospitals including private hospitals have been trained to take samples for testing.

NEIGRIHMS is the testing centre for COVID-19 suspected patients.

“We have trained all doctors, and if there are suspected cases, we need to isolate them, and 102 isolation beds have been identified,” Kumar said.