Sensation prevails after a pharmacist from East Khasi Hills district, who violated quarantine protocol, tested positive for COVID19.
According to sources, the pharmacist, who was asked to remain in mandatory quarantine, went to drop his wife to Rangthong PHC in South West Khasi Hills district violating protocol.
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On being alerted, the Meghalaya health department shut down the Rangthong PHC, and all its staff have been put under quarantine.
The pharmacist, who is serving at Shillong Civil Hospital, is among the 51 new COVID19 positive cases confirmed on Thursday evening.
This was informed by the director of health services (MI), Dr Aman War while updating the status of COVID19 cases in the state.
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Along with this health worker, a traffic police stationed at Mawlai Mawïong, and a vendor selling tea at Khyndai Lad (Police Bazar), are also fresh COVID19 cases recorded on Thursday.
With the 51 new cases, the number of active cases went up to 640 and took the total COVID19 cases to 990.
Dr. War informed that the traffic policeman who tested positive, stationed at Mawïong, and was a primary contact of another policeman who tested positive at Khliehriat in East Jaiñtia Hills district recently.
Dr. War also informed that six patients have recovered from the disease on Thursday taking the total recoveries to 345.
The deadly disease has claimed the lives of 5 persons in Meghalaya so far.
Out of 640 active cases, 498 are in East Khasi Hills (194 BSF, 243 others, 61 other armed forces), 70 cases in Ri Bhoi district, five in West Khasi Hills district, 29 cases in West Garo Hills district, 17 cases each in West Jaiñtia Hills and East Jaiñtia Hills district, and two cases each in South West Garo Hills district and South Garo Hills district.
Dr War informed that till Thursday, 39,782 samples have been sent for testing, out of which, 38,412 samples tested negative and the 380 test results are awaited.
Returnees from outside, who have entered Meghalaya till date is 25,767.
On action against the health worker who violated the quarantine protocols, Dr War said that action against the pharmacist would be initiated for breaking quarantine after his quarantine period ended.
“This person was a contact of another positive person at Shillong Civil Hospital and was under quarantine in a quarantine centre of the government when he went to drop his wife to Rangthong PHC. His samples were taken for testing and the test came out positive,” Dr. War said.
He also informed that this person on the way back to Shillong from South West Khasi Hills district had entered an ATM at Mawkyrwat and other places.
Asked about the wife of the pharmacist, the DHS said the PHC at Rangthong has been closed, and all staff members have been put under quarantine.
“If the wife of this person tests negative, then it will be a relief for all of us,” Dr War added.