Meghalaya likely to see spike of around 8000-10000 cases by end of May

By Daiaphira Kharsati | SHILLONG: 

Meghalaya will likely witness a spike of around 8,000 to 10,000 cases by the end of May, Meghalaya Health Secretary Sampath Kumar said on Saturday. 

As of May 15, the state has registered a total of 4,338 active cases, taking the cumulative positive cases to 22,763. At least 560 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in the last 24 hours with 21 fatalities, the highest single-day corona deaths recorded in the state. 

Explaining the reason behind the surge in cases, Kumar said the spike is because a lot of testing is being carried out in the last few weeks. 

"Testing has increased. We have put a system of Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) and a large number of testing is happening. The advantage is that we (can) identify the cases (before) they multiply because it is also a multiplier disease," he said.

The state is already facing a shortage of resources and if Kumar's assumption is to be believed, hospitals will be running out of beds. 

"460 out of 700 plus hospital beds have been filled. The best way is prevention," Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the state government has constituted a Committee – a state coordination communication unit for COVID-19 to create massive awareness on containment and treatment.

"Today (May 15), we have constituted a committee and it will have all the members of DHS, NHM and DIPR, and will give training to journalists. Next week, there will be an intensive campaign to be done not only for vaccination but identification of symptoms, containment and treatment. People should be aware of vaccination, containment and treatment," the health official said.

(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)

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