2 More COVID-19 Testing Machines Activated in NEIGRHIMS, Shillong

Shillong, April 21, 2020:

2 more Covid-19 testing machines have been activated in NEIGRHIMS, Shillong, with

the capacity of 80 test per day, for which cartridges are awaited. The machines will be

operational by next week.

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Meanwhile, out of 933 tests conducted by Meghalaya, 821 have tested negative, while 12 results have tested positive. 100 results are awaited.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said that patients who have tested positive yesterday is stable and in quarantine.

“I would also like to inform you that the 12th patient, which is the 11th active patient who had tested positive for COVID 19 on the 20th of April is a close family friend of the family of the index case. I would also like to inform you that that person is under quarantine and a rapid antibody test has been conducted today of all the seven members of the family members of that 12th patient which has come out negative,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister informed that under CM Special Grant a total of 2,995 people stranded outside the State have been given the benefit and the money has been transferred to these beneficiaries.

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He also informed that the State has taken steps to increase the real time PCR tests capacity by deploying Genexpert machines at NEIGRHIMS. The government is currently waiting for the cartridges which are due to arrive soon and the particular installation of these machines would enhance the state's sample testing capacity to 80 more tests per day in addition to the existing 90 tests per day currently.

On concerns related to price of essential commodities, the Chief Minister said, “I would like to inform you that we have already asked the respective deputy commissioners to take action in any case, where we find any kind of over pricing taking place. It is also been mandated that every shop must display the price of different products to the consumer.”

He also urged the citizens that if there are any specific cases that come up of over pricing in any part of the state to inform the the deputy commissioners, who have been authorised to take immediate steps to ensure that there is no over pricing.

On queries from the public in general asking on details of all the positive patients and their names, the Chief Minister said, “I would like to say that we must respect the privacy of the patients. I would also like to assure you that the government is acting very fast, the department is acting very fast to activate immediate contact tracing and tests of the primary contacts, all the secondary contacts is done.”

On the new positive case, the Chief Minister said that immediately contact tracing was done and seven of the family members were tested today, the result of which was negative.

He also informed that all pending bills under MGNREGS has been cleared upto 31st March 2020 and DCs and BDOs have been asked to instruct the VECs to submit their annual work plans as per the guidelines to ensure that the other works also can continue.

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