Another unwelcome record for 2021 was set today with Meghalaya reporting 339 new cases of Covid-19.
Only on one other day during the pandemic has the state reported more infections – 423 on October 3 last year. Today is the second in three days that the state’s tally has beaten the 300-mark, after hitting 321 on Sunday. Meghalaya is also adding new cases at an astonishing rate, having gone from the 17,000-mark on Saturday to over 18,000 total infections today.
However, there were no Covid-related fatalities reported today, for the first time since April 23.
Of the 339 new cases of the disease in the state today, 61 were among returnees. After making up nearly 50 per cent of new cases for several days last month, returnees are now contributing for proportionally fewer.
East Khasi Hills accounted for 233 of the new infections – 42 among returnees, 17 armed forces/paramilitaries, 74 high-risk contacts, 11 influenza-like illnesses (ILIs), five through screening, eight health workers, two police personnel, one severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), one in Baniun, one in Bishnupur, three in Jaiaw, five in Jail Road, one in Jhalupara, seven in Laban, one in Laitumkhrah, one in Lapalang, one in Madanrting, one in Mawbah, six in Mawlai, six in Mawprem, two in Nongmynsong, one in Nongrim Hills, seven in Nongthymmai, eight in Khyndailad, five in Polo, five in Pynthorbah and two in Umpling.
West Garo Hills reported 40 new cases (16 high-risk, 16 through screening, eight returnees), Ri-Bhoi 24 (12 high-risk, five through screening, four armed forces/paramilitaries, three returnees), East Jaiñtia Hills 14 (five ILIs, four high-risk, two returnees, two through screening, one factory worker), West Khasi Hills 10 (seven in Nongrut, one returnee, one ILI, one through screening), West Jaiñtia Hills six (three returnees, two ILIs, one through screening), South West Garo Hills four (two through screening, one ILI, one health worker), North Garo Hills three (all high-risk), South Garo Hills three (all ILIs) and South West Khasi Hills two (both returnees).
There were also 204 recoveries – 142 in East Khasi Hills, 25 in East Jaiñtia Hills, 17 in Ri-Bhoi, nine in West Jaiñtia Hills, seven in West Garo Hills and four in West Khasi Hills.
There are now 2,019 active Covid-19 cases in the state. East Khasi Hills alone accounts for 1,298 active cases, Ri-Bhoi 201, West Garo Hills 155 and West Jaiñtia Hills 97.
In all, Meghalaya has had 18,014 Covid-19 cases, of which 2,019 are active, 15,810 have recovered and 185 have died from the virus. The recovery rate has fallen to 87.77 per cent. The fatality rate is 1.03 per cent. More than 3.08 lakh doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered as of today in the state.
