Northeast Now impact: Meghalaya Government says over 90% Covid-19 cases in State are of ‘Delta variant’

Over 90% of Covid-19 cases reported in Meghalaya are of Delta variant (variant of concern), the State Government has admitted.

Sampath Kumar, principal secretary, health and family welfare department, said that more than 90% of Covid-19 cases detected in Meghalaya, as per genome-sequencing samples, are of “Delta variant, which should in itself be the reason for caution and extra precaution by everyone to safeguard themselves and their loved ones.”

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This admission of the Meghalaya Government comes just days after Northeast Now reported that the State Government seems to be hiding facts in relation to detection of Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 in the State.

Earlier, Northeast Now, based on a letter by the Meghalaya Health Department to the DCs of all the districts of the State, had reported that the State Government seems to be hiding facts in relation to detection of Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 in the State.

As per a letter, written by Meghalaya Health Department to the Deputy Commissioners of all districts in the State, the “Variant of Concern” (Delta Plus variant) has been found in COVID-19 cases detected in the State.

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The Centre recently had called the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 as a “variant of concern”.

Detection of the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 in Meghalaya has been mentioned in a letter written by Principal Secretary (Health) – Sampath Kumar to the DCs of all the districts of the State on June 3.

Now, although the Meghalaya Government did not say that the State has found Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 in the State, it has for the first time that the State Government has admitted that 90 percent cases in the State are of the Delta variant.

Also read: Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 detected in Meghalaya? Is the State Government hiding facts?

Sampath Kumar said the state has been putting in the best efforts to ramp up vaccination considering the surge in the cases.

“With the anticipated ‘third wave’ of the pandemic, the welfare of the people should be considered of prime importance,” the official said in a notification.

“It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that adequate care is exercised as per the health advisories which are validated by thorough research and scientific validation,” he further said.

Kumar added that it is also inevitable that a return to normalcy and the gradual easing of the lockdown measures are being considered in the interest of the livelihood of the people and the economy in general.

“It is of utmost importance that the individual or persons from each household who are venturing outside to work to earn their livelihoods be made to understand the importance of getting them vaccinated and maintain Covid protocols,” he said.