Shillong (Meghalaya), Jan 09 : The state on Sunday reported 76 new COVID-19 cases, , with the tally rising to 85,234 , a health department press release said.
Of the fresh cases, 66 were detected in East Khasi Hills district, three in Ri Bhoi and five West Garo Hills.
The death toll remained at 1,485 as no new fatality due to the infection was reported, the release said.
Ten more people were cured of the disease during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 83,355.
Meghalaya now has 394 active cases.
Earlier , Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said no fresh case of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus was reported in the state.
Of the four patients infected with the new strain, three have already recovered and one is undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile a meeting of the District Task Force on COVID 19 & COVID Vaccination was held under the Chairmanship of Miss. Isawanda Laloo, IAS, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Shillong in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, EKH, Shillong.
The Meeting was attended by the District Medical & Health Officer, EKH, Addl. DMHO, EKH, DIO, EKH, DSO(IDSP), EKH, Dr. N Roy, WHO, District School Education Officer, SDSEO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, EKH, the Incident Commanders of Shillong Zones, Executive Magistrates, Principal & representative from Colleges and Schools, representative from ICDS, NYKs, Representative from Shillong all Faiths Forum.
The meeting was called to review the current COVID situation and the progress of Covid Vaccination in the District. The Deputy Commissioner while addressing the Committee members stressed on speeding up the Covid Vaccination which is not picking up as desired especially in rural areas.
With rising cases of Covid-19 and emergence of OMICRON variant in the district, it is imperative for all eligible citizens to get vaccinated. Because of its high transmissibility, there is a possibility of a huge surge in cases. This will put a strain on the health care system if many people require hospitalization. Vaccination as the first line of defence against the virus prevents severe illness, hospitalization and death and hence must be sped up.
With the starting of Covid Vaccination for 15-18 Years of age, the committee decided to seek the proactive role of the Education department and the heads of educational institution in urging the parents to get their children vaccinated.
Parent-Teacher meetings are to be conducted for providing awareness on the importance of Covid Vaccination and to mobilise the unvaccinated parents and eligible teens to get vaccinated as early as possible. Vaccination Camps will be organised in the Colleges & School premises.
Another important decision taken is to enforce Covid Appropriate behaviours (CAB). Penalty will be imposed for violation of CAB protocols in all public places. Incident Commanders, Executive Magistrates and Police will be conducting inspections to ensure that people wear masks without fail.
Proper wearing of N-95 masks significantly reduces risk of infection, and if everyone is disciplined in wearing masks, we can reduce infections to a huge extent. The Superintendent of Police will also ensure that there is no violation of the curfew timings.
With regard to the tourists and entrants into the state, the Task Force decided to intensify checks at the District entry points so that all entrants adhere to the entry protocols and test/ produce negative RT-PCR test certificates. the Hotels will be instructed to ensure that systems be put in place to check the Negative RTPCR certificate & Covid vaccination status of their guests. Hotels will also ensure that no guests are allowed to leave the hotel while awaiting the Covid Test report.
