Two more COVID-19 testing machines have been activated at NEIGRHIMS in Shillong with a capacity of 80 tests per day, for which cartridges are awaited.
The machines will become operational by next week.
Sharing updates on Tuesday, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma said out of 933 samples sent for test, 821 tested negative and the results for 100 tests are awaited.
Meghalaya has so far registered a total of 12 COVID-19 positive cases so far including 11 active cases and one death case.
On Tuesday, Sangma said patients who tested positive on Monday are stable and in quarantine.
“The 12th patient, who is the 11th active patient and tested positive for COVID 19 on Monday, is a close family friend of the family of the index case,” said Sangma.
“I would also like to inform you that the person is under quarantine and a rapid antibody test has been conducted of all the seven members of the family members of that 11th active patient and it has come out negative,” the CM said.
He informed that the state has taken steps to increase the real-time PCR tests capacity by deploying Genexpert machines at NEIGRHIMS.
“The government is currently waiting for the cartridges which are due to arrive soon and the particular installation of these machines would enhance the state’s sample testing capacity to 80 more tests per day in addition to the existing 90 tests per day currently,” he said.
On concerns related to price of essential commodities, the chief minister said the respective deputy commissioners have been asked to take action in such case, and it is mandated that every shop must display the price of different products to the consumers.
He also urged the citizens to report any specific cases on overpricing in any part to the deputy commissioners, who have been authorised to take immediate steps to ensure that there is no overpricing.
On queries from the public, in general, asking the details of all positive patients and their names, the chief minister said, “We must respect the privacy of the patients.”
“I would also like to assure that the government is acting very fast, the department is acting very fast to activate immediate contact tracing and tests of the primary contacts, all the secondary contacts is done,” he added.
He also informed that all pending bills under MGNREGS have been cleared up to March 31 this year.
The DCs and BDOs have been asked to instruct the VECs to submit their annual work plans as per the guidelines to ensure that the other works also can continue, he added.
The chief minister informed that under the CM’s Special Grant, a total of 2,995 people stranded outside the state have been given the benefit and the money has been transferred to them.