The upswing in Covid-19 cases in Meghalaya is down to people not strictly following health protocols rather than the move to quarantine positive patients at home rather than at corona care centres, Director of Health Services Dr Aman War said today.
There have been 1,355 new infections reported in the last week, including 1,018 in the first four days of October.
Dr War said that there are several instances of people not taking care of themselves and not following the protocols put in place. “I believe that our citizens now know the seriousness of the Covid-19 situation in our state and I urge and appeal to all to follow the protocols religiously,” he added.
When asked if another reason could be that those who have tested positive, but who do not have serious symptoms, for the virus are sent home to quarantine rather than moved to corona care centres, Dr War said, “Those tested positive and sent home know they are Covid-19 positive and so they become very responsible and are extra careful not to spread the virus. The danger is with the people who don’t know that they are positive and go and mix with everyone.”
There has also been an increase in the number of health workers who have contracted the virus and the director said that while some of these cases may be due to the incorrect use of protective equipment, the health workers may have also picked up the coronavirus from their interactions while off duty outside the health facilities they work in.
Health workers on Covid-19 duty who have been provided with accommodation away from family are allowed to leave the premises, though they are advised to stay in their rooms.
