East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo said today that the number of people infected with Covid-19 in the state could be up to 25 times higher than official figures state.
As of today there are 3,297 active coronavirus cases. Twenty-five times this number would be 82,245. Laloo said that this is based on reports of public health experts.
These cases could go unnoticed because they might be asymptomatic cases and, therefore, not be tested. Not having symptoms, however, does not mean that the infected are not infectious.
Fifty percent of the cases reported in the last week are of high-risk contacts of already positive people, she added. These contacts are mainly family members, co-workers, neighbours and other persons known to the infected.
Therefore, everyone should consider themselves to be asymptomatic carriers and follow Covid protocols at all times, she said. This includes wearing masks (even at home) for the next two weeks, complete home isolation, no inter-house visits, keeping shopping for essentials to a minimum and involve only one person per household in the task,
All persons displaying symptoms of cough, fever, etc., should isolate themselves immediately, even if not tested. Report symptoms to 14410 and to the nearest health care provider.
Elderly persons or persons with medical conditions are instructed to stay at home at all times.
