Shillong May 14:  The Meghalaya government on Thursday told the review meeting on COVID-19 convened by Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh that within the next two weeks, the testing capacity is expected to increase to 600 tests per day, and the state government said that it was fully prepared to deal with all COVID-19 cases that may need hospitalization.

The Speaker chaired the meeting and it was attended by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, Health Minister, A L Hek, Home Minister, L. Rymbui, Power Minister, James K Sangma, Leader of Opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma, Chief Secretary, senior officials of the Health and Family Welfare, Food and Civil Supplies, Finance departments and other key departments.

A detailed presentation was made by the Chief Secretary on the updates following the last meeting held on April  25.

The presentation highlighted the summary of stranded citizens, detailed entry protocol and an insight on the evacuation model being followed to bring back stranded Meghalayans from various parts of the country.

Updates were also presented on the status of health infrastructure as well as the increase in testing capacity. As of May 13, a total of 2537 tests were conducted wherein 2526 tests were declared negative. A total of 13 positive cases, including one active case and one death case.

“Within the next two weeks, the capacity is expected to increase to 600 tests per day,” a joint statement signed by the Speaker, Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition said.

As on May 13, a total of 3978 stranded individuals were brought back into the state via five identified entry points РBajengdoba, North Garo Hills, Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi district, Ratacherra, East Jai̱tia Hills, Tikrikilla, West Garo Hills district, Mir Jhumla, South West Garo Hills district.

Separate protocol for entry of individuals coming from North East States and individuals coming from other states has been put in place. All incoming individuals will have to be under home quarantine, along with families, for a period of 14 days.

The state government has also made arrangements for support and follow-up for individuals and families under quarantine.

A total of 1861 free provision kits were distributed till May 13 for all individuals under mandatory home quarantine. Besides this, a total of 2653 home visits were made for enforcing quarantine.

A separate web link in the Meghalaya Government portal was created to register stranded citizens outside North East. So far, over 9400 individuals have registered and 7100 individuals are expected to return.

Elaborate transportation arrangements have been made to bring back Meghalayans stranded in various parts of the country. Various State governments (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab among others) have been communicated with in order to devise a method to bring them back to the State.

An updated status of health infrastructure was highlighted in the presentation by the Chief Secretary.

The Chief Secretary informed that Meghalaya now has 3,227 beds available for treating COVID-19 patients.

Adequate stock of health equipment is also available across the State – PPEs (1,53,213), 3 Ply Masks (6,30,300), N95 Masks (1,48,678), Ventilators (20).

The largest Corona Care Centre and Quarantine facility in the North East was inaugurated recently at IIM, Umsawli. This facility has a total capacity of 258. This will accommodate the asymptomatic and the mild symptomatic individuals.  An update on assistance given to people under various schemes was also highlighted.

Several suggestions were made by the members of the opposition, which were welcomed by the government.

After the meeting it was jointly decided to urge the citizens of the State to provide sensitive support to all COVID-19 positive individuals and those probable cases and not to stigmatize any individual as the virus can affect any person.

The meeting also urged the people of the state to accept the returning individuals and not to stigmatise them or their families.

As many more individuals will return in the coming days, the state government protocols and guidelines are to be strictly followed.

It was also decided that support of community COVID management committee in various villages is needed to enforce quarantine.

The meeting also stressed that the people should not be fearful of the virus and they must follow the standard protocols relating to personal hygiene, hand washing, cough etiquette and social distancing.

As per existing data, most people affected by the virus will not need hospitalization and will recover by being under home isolation, the joint statement said, adding that the Government is fully prepared to deal with all cases that may need hospitalization.

The meeting further asked the people of the state to be respectful and kind to all the health care staff and other frontline workers.