Meghalaya Health Minister Al Hek tests positive for coronavirus

Shillong: Meghalaya Health Minister AL Hek has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing home isolation, an official said on Sunday.

Al Hek is the second minister in the state to have contracted the disease. Earlier, power minister James P K Sangma was diagnosed with the infection.

As per reports, the Minister had been in isolation since October 19.

The Minister recently informed Inside Northeast that he had to undergo isolation after a recent visit to New Delhi.

He informed on Sunday that doctors collected his swab samples on Saturday and tested through CBNAAT. “It was declared that I have tested positive on Sunday,” the minister said.

Hek also said that his daughter who had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier, had tested negative on Saturday.

The minister had recently returned from Delhi where he met several BJP leaders.

Also read:Meghalaya Police filed a criminal case against ‘United Bangal Liberation Army’; Here’s why

“Ever since I returned to Shillong on October 19, I have been in isolation for seven days in a guest house,” Hek said, adding that though he tested positive, he was fine and normal without any sickness.

The death toll in Meghalaya rose to 81 after one more patient succumbed to the disease, he said.

Meghalaya now has 1,605 active coronavirus cases.

So far, four legislators in Meghalaya, including the two ministers, have tested positive for COVID-19.

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