Hopes that the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic may be easing in the state suffered a blow today with 650 new cases of the coronavirus were recorded in Meghalaya today, the highest single-day figure since May 30. There were also 431 recoveries and nine Covid-related fatalities.
Given the persistently high number of new infections, Chief Secretary MS Rao announced today that containment measures in the state will continue beyond June 21 (when they were supposed to end) “until further orders”.
East Khasi Hills accounted for 220 new infections, while the rest of Meghalaya added 430, the highest figure since May 25.
West Garo Hills reported 109 new cases, West Jaintia Hills 101, Ri-Bhoi 92, East Garo Hills 47, South West Khasi Hills 25, South West Garo Hills 19, South Garo Hills 18, East Jaintia Hills eight, North Garo Hills seven and West Khasi Hills four.
There were also 431 recoveries today – 126 in East Khasi Hills, 86 in West Jaintia Hills, 66 in West Garo Hills, 38 in Ri-Bhoi, 31 in North Garo Hills, 26 in East Garo Hills, 22 in South West Garo Hills, 15 in West Khasi Hills, 11 in East Jaintia Hills, six in South Garo Hills and four in South West Khasi Hills.
Three fatalities were added to East Khasi Hills’ figures and one each in East Jaintia Hills, South West Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, West Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills.
There are now 4,819 active Covid-19 cases in the state. East Khasi Hills alone accounts for 1,674 active cases, West Garo Hills 751, West Jaintia Hills 546, Ri-Bhoi 411, South West Khasi Hills 321, North Garo Hills 247, East Garo Hills 235, South West Garo Hills 231, West Khasi Hills 164, South Garo Hills 160 and East Jaintia Hills 79.
In all, Meghalaya has had 44,382 Covid-19 cases, of which 4,819 are active, 38,792 have recovered and 771 have died from the virus. The recovery rate has dropped to 87.40 percent. The fatality rate has stayed level at 1.74 percent. The seven-day rolling average for new cases has increased to 468.86 and has dropped for new deaths to 8.14.