Shillong Apr 14: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday said that all decisions taken in the cabinet meeting on Monday stand nullified.

“The cabinet decided to follow the old protocols to which new notification will be issued,” said the Chief Minister, while informing that inter district movement will be restricted.

The state cabinet took a fresh decision to cancel all its earlier decisions came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the national lockdown has been extended to May 3.

Sangma informed that the detailed government advisories would be issued and notified on supply of essential commodities.

One of COVID-19 patient’s relatives has travel history: CM

On the Covid-19 positive case, the Chief Minister informed that one of the relatives of the patient had a travel history to some of the affected countries.

“We cannot say it is full proof evidence but the most likely scenario is linked to one of the family members’ travel history. We are still investigating the matter,” the Chief Minister said.

He also informed that the member of the COVID-19 positive case, had returned to Shillong and registered himself with 108, and completed the self quarantine period.

“It is also to be noted that the individual remained asymptomatic. The medical team had visited the concerned individual, but no symptoms were seen in him,” he said.

Quoting records from different countries that 85% of the cases are mild, the Chief Minister said, “A lot of cases are asymptomatic as people do not even show any symptoms. And within a period of anything between 14 to 21 days, people recover on their own and people with mild cough, mild flu or mild fever and after a certain period of 14 days, 21 days or maybe 28 days people are fine.”

The Bethany Hospital Shillong has been completely shut and all staffs in the hospital have been asked to quarantine within the hospital.

Govt lists down primary, secondary contacts of COVID-19patient

The Government has listed down the primary contacts of the COVID-19 patient, as well as secondary contacts.

A total of 91 samples after the first positive case have been sent for test, the results of which are awaited, and more tests are being done.

Don’t stigmatize patient, family members, hospital staffs: Sangma

 The Chief Minister urged the citizens not to stigmatize patient or their family members, as the virus can attack anybody, it does not look at caste, creed, religion or geographical boundaries.

“It is time for the citizens to act responsibly. I would urge the citizens of Meghalaya, particularly Shillong city not to stigmatize, this is the time when we have to show to the rest of the world and the country that we are together and we will fight this together,” the Chief Minister added.

Urging the citizens to lend their support, the chief minister said that in these difficult time people have to remain united and cooperate with the government by adhering to the directives issued by the government.

“There is a notion in people’s mind that this disease can spread by looking at somebody. I think we need to get the facts clear, you know, if we are maintaining our social norms, if we ensure personal hygiene the chances of getting the virus is less,” the Chief Minister stated.

Urging the people not to overreact but be careful, Sangma said, “Be careful for yourself and I’m sure that by doing this basic things you’ll be able to protect yourself. It is very important to also know and people should understand that it is not that if you get infected that you will be on ventilator and you will be fighting for your life,” the Chief Minister added.

Youth who jumped from Bethany hospital not related to COVID-19

On the patient who jumped from Bethany Hospital and died, the Chief Minister clarified that the incident has nothing to do with Coronavirus because the individual was undergoing rehabilitation as he had psychiatric problem and in all likelihood it was suicide.

Meanwhile  East Khasi Hills SP, Claudia Lyngwa also clarified that there was nothing to relate the incident with the recent events regarding COVID-19 after people spread misinformation and rumours on the death of the youth who jumped from the window of his ward at Bethany hospital into the stream flowing next to the hospital.

Lyngwa said that it was around 9 AM on Monday, information was received at Laitumkhrah Police Station from the staff of Bethany Hospital that one of their in-patient, Tainingstar Jyrwa (26 years) of South West Khasi Hills district has committed suicide by jumping from the window of his ward into the stream flowing next to Bethany Hospital.

“Immediate inquiry was conducted by the staff of Laitumkhrah Police Station and it was informed that Jyrwa was admitted to Bethany Hospital on March 30 as he was a drug addict and needed psychiatric care. There is nothing to relate his suicide with recent events regarding COVID-19 and the public should refrain from spreading any misinformation /rumours regarding the same,” Lyngwa cautioned.