The first week of May has been disastrous for Meghalaya in Covid-19 terms, with 2,081 new infections and 28 fatalities reported a new record for the Sate.
There were six new Covid-related deaths reported today in the state, taking the total toll to 199. The deceased were identified as NEIGRIHMS patient Anil Mandal (39) of Margherita in Assam, Desplin Marbaniang (55) of Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills, Meniories Kongwang (55) of Umsyiem, Pynursla, in East Khasi Hills, Kleeon Thabah (60) of Sohiong in East Khasi Hills, Jenny Marki Dhar (85) of Umpling in East Khasi Hills and Tony Singha (37) of Lumjingshai in East Khasi Hills.
The figure of 28 fatalities already makes May the third-worst month for Covid deaths, only behind October (37) and September (41) of last year. And unless the lockdown measures bear some positive results, the death toll could surpass all monthly records. The number of new infections is also a record, never before have so many been recorded in a single week in Meghalaya.
There were 297 new infections today, including among 19 returnees and 15 health workers (12 in East Khasi Hills).
East Khasi Hills accounted for 180 of today’s reported infections – eight among returnees, nine armed forces/paramilitaries, 86 high-risk contacts, 31 influenza-like illnesses (ILIs), one through screening, 12 health workers, six severe acute respiratory infections (SARIs), two police personnel, one in the district jail, one in Iewduh, one in Jaiaw, one in Jail Road, one in Laban, one in Lachumiere, one in Lummawbah, two in Lapalang, one in Madanrting, one in Mawdiangdiang, one in Mawlai, two in Mawpat, two in Mawprem, two in Nongthymmai, one in Pynthorbah, five in Shella and one in Umpling.
Ri-Bhoi reported 58 new cases (22 in Khweng, 18 high-risk, seven through screening, four ILIs, four returnees, two armed forces/paramilitaries, one health worker), West Garo Hills 22 (14 through screening, six returnees, one health worker, one high-risk), West Jaiñtia Hills 10 (six through screening, two high-risk, one police, one health worker), South West Garo Hills nine (five high-risk, three through screening, one returnee), West Khasi Hills five (three high-risk, two through screening), North Garo Hills four (all through screening), East Garo Hills four (three through screening, one ILI), East Jaiñtia Hills three (two ILIs, one through screening), South Garo Hills one (through screening) and South West Khasi Hills one (high-risk).
There were also 176 recoveries – 146 in East Khasi Hills, 11 in Ri-Bhoi, seven in West Garo Hills, five in East Jaiñtia Hills, four in West Jaiñtia Hills and three in West Khasi Hills.
There are now 2,466 active Covid-19 cases in the state. East Khasi Hills alone accounts for 1,492 active cases, Ri-Bhoi 287, West Garo Hills 187, West Jaiñtia Hills 106, West Khasi Hills 105 and East Jaiñtia Hills 104.
In all, Meghalaya has had 18,927 Covid-19 cases, of which 2,466 are active, 16,262 have recovered and 199 have died from the virus. The recovery rate has fallen to 85.92 per cent. The fatality rate is 1.05 per cent. More than 3.30 lakh doses of the Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the state as of today.
