A village in East Khasi Hills has been declared as containment area due to large contacts between local villagers and a person who got Covid-19.
A report was sent by the Block Development Officer, Mawkynrew C&RD Block and the Medical & Health Officer In-charge of Mawkynrew PHC that a Covid-19 positive person has come in contact with a large number of people around Mawlein village under Mawkynrew C&RD Block without taking any precaution even after being advised to isolate as per the protocols of the government.
Following receipt of the report, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued yesterday has declared Mawlein village as a containment area until the exercise is completed, so as to restrict unregulated entry and exit on the site.
The order also stated that no persons are allowed to move into the containment area and inhabitants within the area shall not move out and they shall strictly remain inside their homes. All shops/establishments shall remain closed during containment.
The Block Development Officer, Mawkynrew C&RD Block has been asked to supervise and monitor strict compliance of the order.
In another order issued on October 23, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District has declared the house of Apshan Syngkli at Nongthymmai Umpohliew (a hamlet created out of Laitmawsiang village) under Mawphlang C&RD Block as a containment area so as to restrict unregulated entry and exit on the site.
The order is necessitated in view of the report received from the Block Development Officer, Mawphlang C&RD Block and the Medical &Health Officer In-Charge of Mawsynram CHC that ten high-risk primary contacts of a Covid-19 positive who resides in the house of Apshan Syngkli have refused to undergo testing for Covid-19.
According to the order, in view of the outright refusal without which the Covid status of the family members is unknown, there is every apprehension that it could lead to spreading of infection and amount to endangering the health of the public at large if the said high-risk primary contacts are allowed to move freely.
“Further, it is deemed necessary to declare the above mentioned house as a containment area till such time as the Medical Officer In-Charge opines that the probable/suspect Covid-19 positive cases in the household have recovered or are no longer a risk or till the said persons undergo testing (following which necessary protocols would then be followed depending on the results) and this would enable the Medical Officer In-Charge to closely monitor the health of the said high-risk primary contacts, including in the event of any of them developing symptoms,” added the order of the District Magistrate.
The order states that no person shall be allowed to move into the containment area and inhabitants within the house shall not move out and they shall strictly remain inside their home.
The Block Development Officer, Mawphlang C&RD Block has been asked to supervise strict compliance of the order. Any violation of the order shall entail prosecution under the penal provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and IPC.