How Meghalaya managed to keep its Covid count low

SHILLONG: At a time when the entire country is striving to fight the novel coronavirus spread, Meghalaya has been able to keep the active count in the state low. Strict monitoring of all returnees and restrictions on inter-state movement of people have proved to be great moves by the state government.

“All positive cases recorded in the state so far pertain to returnees.

They are thoroughly screened at all entry points,” a health official said, adding that there has been no evidence of any community transmission of the virus in the state to date. The official further informed that there are strict restrictions on inter-state movement of people, especially to Assam as the neighbouring state has seen a sudden spike in cases. Moreover, it is also mandatory for all returnees to go for institutional quarantine after coming back to Meghalaya.

The health department official said the community quarantine centres and institutional quarantine centres have been playing a stellar role in checking the spread of the virus.

Recently, the state government had asked people from other states to refrain from visiting Meghalaya till the Covid situation in the country improves. Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong had said that in comparison to the rest of the country, Meghalaya is doing well when it comes to dealing with the Covid-19 crisis and hence many people from other states are looking to take shelter here. “Given the prevailing situation, the message is very clear. Inter-state movement is not allowed and people should kindly avoid coming to Meghalaya unless it is an emergency,” Tynsong had added.

In fact, chief minister Conrad K Sangma , too, was quarantined after his visits to Manipur and New Delhi. Speaking about Meghalaya’s fight so far, health minister AL Hek said the state tops Covid-19 recovery rate in the country at 89.1% as per Union health ministry figures. “I am very thankful to all stakeholders for the hardwork put in. However, we must not be complacent but put in extra efforts to combat this pandemic,” he said. “Community participation is very important. Without the active support of the people through the traditional institutions, it will be very difficult for the government to control this pandemic. That is why, the government is now doing its best to sensitize people regarding behavioural changes through individualized training,” he added

The health minister further informed, “We must triple our vigilance measures and ramp-up testing facilities. RT-PCR testing is being done at the Civil Hospital in Tura now, besides TrueNat tests. TrueNat machines will also be installed in all districts. RT-PCR testing will also be commissioned at Pasteur Institute in Shillong, which at present is performing only TrueNat tests.”