Shillong May 16: Out of 873 returnees from Tamil Nadu, 12 tested COVID-19 positive by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits in Meghalaya on Saturday.

Seven of them are from East Khasi Hills, 4 from Tura, and 1 from Ri Bhoi district.

Immediately they were taken to quarantine centre in their respective district.

“Their samples were collected and sent for PCR test at NEIGRIHMS and Tura Civil Hospital. The results for all 4 from Tura and 1 from Ri Bhoi have confirmed negative, while the results for 7 returnees from East Khasi Hills will be getting on Sunday,” an official statement quoting Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said.

The state government thanked all the Deputy Commissioners, District Medical and Health Officers and traditional heads for working hard in receiving the returnees from Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, Meghalaya recorded 13 positive COVID-19 cases – one active case, 11 have recovered, and one had passed away.