SBI branch manager who dodged medical screening tests +ve

SHILLONG: The manager of a branch of the State Bank of India (SBI), who allegedly dodged medical screening at the Byrnihat check-point while entering the state, tested positive for Covid-19, becoming the 52nd case in the state.

State health minister A L Hek told reporters on Tuesday that the bank officer was transferred from Assam to Khliehriat in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya.

Director of health services (MI) Dr Aman War said that it was the Dorbar Shnong (local administrative body) at Khliehriat that informed the office of the deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills district about the arrival of the branch manager.

"Later the branch manager was sent for mandatory quarantine and samples were collected for test," Dr War said.

The branch manager, while passing through the check point at Byrnihat, had shown his identity card and he was apparently allowed passage by those manning the check point there, thinking that he would stop in Shillong and get himself tested at the Shillong Civil Hospital.

"He, however, proceeded straight to Khliehriat without stopping in Shillong for the test," War said.

When asked if the SBI branch manager had violated the protocol, Dr War said, "It appears to be a case of violation and an FIR will be filed."

Hek also said action would be taken and an FIR would be registered against the branch manager for violating the protocol. Meanwhile, Hek also said as on Tuesday, 19,016 people from outside the state have entered Meghalaya.

Three fresh cases of Covid-19, including that of the SBI branch manager, were reported in the state over the past 24 hours.

Hek said of 19,326 samples sent for Covid-19 test, 19,028 samples have been tested negative, and the results for 246 were awaited. He also informed that 21 people recently returned from Nepal to Meghalaya and their samples have been collected for Covid-19 test.

The state has 10 active cases, while 42 people have recovered, while one person has died due to the virus. The active cases include five in East Khasi Hills district, two in South West Garo Hills and one each in Ri-Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills district.