Breaking: 2 More COVID-19 Cases Detected in Meghalaya, Tally Rises to 9

Shillong, April 16, 2020:

Two more people, both relatives of the first COVID-19 case from Meghalaya, have both tested positive. This has taken the tally of cases in Meghalaya to 9.

Confirming this via Twitter, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma wrote, "2 more cases have tested positive. Both are family members of the first patient."

Six relatives and helpers of the Bethany Hospital doctor who passed away on April 15 have also tested positive for the new coronavirus or Covid-19 which is the seventh to affect humans.

Confirming this via Twitter, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma wrote, “Of the 68 tested so far, 6 have come out positive who are all family members & helpers of the first Covid19 positive case. 6 other cases are being retested. All the rest of the cases are negative”

It may be recalled here that the first case in the state was confirmed on April 13. The patient passed away around 3 am in the morning. The entire Hospital was sealed and the ones present at Bethany were asked to go into quarantine with immediate effect.

It is pertinent to mention here that Northeast India has also reported many cases of the virus. The tally is as follows:

Assam: 34

Meghalaya: 7

Mizoram: 1

Manipur: 2

Nagaland: 1

Tripura: 2

Arunachal Pradesh: 1

The economic impact of the COVID-19 is also being felt in all parts of the world.

The Indian rupee has slipped 34 paise to all-time low of 76.78 against US dollar in early trade. Meanwhile, international giants Google will slow hiring for the rest of the year, Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai told the company’s staff in a memo on Wednesday.

United States President Donald Trump vowed to unveil plans Thursday to reopen the world’s top economy, following cautious moves in Europe, claiming the US had “passed the peak” of new coronavirus cases, although the number of deaths at an all-time high.

ALSO READ: Assam: Gauhati University Cancels Upcoming Summer Vacation in July, 2020

At the same time, Switzerland’s government is due to unveil on Thursday how it plans to relax the country’s shutdown put in place to halt the spread of the new coronavirus epidemic, Swiss media reported. Health Minister Alain Berset will outline a three-stage plan to start a gradual opening of businesses and schools which have been shuttered for a month.

These will be considered major developments as all the countries around the world are strategizing a similar exit, although the spread of the virus has not slowed and the search for a cure continues.

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