Shillong, April 17: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the eight COVID-19 patients are in “stable condition” and all of them have been “quarantined”.

The eight active COVID-19 patients include the family members of Dr. John Sailo Rynthathiang, the Director of Bethany Hospital, passed away on Wednesday due to medical complications after deadly flu infection.

Sailo was the first person to have yielded positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya.

Sangma informed that a total of 617 samples were tested for COVID-19, of which 541 yielded negative results, while results of 67 tests were awaited.

“Currently, as of now there are eight active cases in our state. We have screened 24, 382 people in total till date and 2557 persons were in quarantine,” Sangma informed via a recorded video.

Following the first case of a death due to COVID-19, he said the health department has traced 140 primary contacts and close to 4,755 in the secondary contact list.

On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the government is also going to conduct antibodies testing in the blood especially for people who do not show symptoms of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister informed that close to 30,000 PPEs are in stock right now, and by tonight itself government is receiving another 20,000 PPEs, which will add upto 50,000 PPEs.

Moreover, he said the government has been allocated 4000 rapid test kits, and at the same time through different companies, the State government is also souring rapid test kits.

25 new ambulances have been ordered with life support facilities.

“We expect to receive them in about four days time. These 25 new ambulances are being funded by the CMRF contribution, which all of you have made at different levels,” the Chief Minister said.

An amount of Rs. 5.50 cr has been received in the Chief Minister Relief Fund for COVID-19 and the funds will be invested in Corona Care Centres and other infrastructure requirements.

He informed that the government has decided to open grocery shops and essential commodities for four days in a week — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — from 9 am to 4 pm.

“This is being done to ensure that there is more timing given to the people so that they can buy without having to crowd,” the Chief Minister added.

The wholesale will be open for three days in a week i.e Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also visited designated COVID-19 Hospital at Shillong Civil Hospital along with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Health and Family Welfare Minister, A.L.Hek, and held a review meeting with the staffs in the hospital premises.

“Reviewed the entire situation in the civil hospital today to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place,” he said.

Meanwhile the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed that an FIR has been lodged against those who leaked the list of patients, who had visited Bethany Hospital, which is now a COVID-19 hotspot in the state.

“I was very upset and sad to see that certain groups and individuals giving out list of patients who have visited Bethany hospital. It goes completely against the privacy of these patients and it is very incorrect for everybody to do that,” Sangma said via a recorded video that was circulated by the Chief Minister’s Office.

He also informed that an FIR in this case has been filed and action will be taken against those people who responsible for it.

Renowned physician and philanthropist, Dr. John Sailo Rynthathiang, the Director of Bethany Hospital, passed away on Wednesday due to medical complications after he contracted the contagious COVID-19 virus.

Sailo was the first person to have been tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya and passed away on Wednesday.