By Francis Khongwar
Shillong (Meghalaya), May 4 : In view of the sudden surge of Covid-19 cases in the country and in the North Eastern Region, the Centre , while expressing concern said there is a rising trend in Covid-19 cases in Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur and urged for taking effective measure to contain the spread of the virus.
Meghalaya recorded an alarming 339 new Covid-19 positive cases coupled with good tidings of 204 new recovered cases today. Health authorities informed that the total active cases in the state is now 2,019 and 15,810 have so far recovered from the virus.
East Khasi Hills district has the highest number of active cases with 1,298, Ri-Bhoi 201, West Jaintia Hills 97, East Jaintia Hills 85, West Garo Hills 155, West Khasi Hills 69, South West Khasi Hills 25, South Garo Hills 19, East Garo Hills 30, South West Garo Hills 22 and North Garo Hills 18.
On the other hand, the West Jaintia Hills District Administration has tightened all the entry points to Jowai , the District Headquarter of West Jaintia Hills District and its adjoining areas due violation of Covid-19 protocols issued by the Health Department. Only a few shops are operating in and around of Iawmusiang market in Jowai and that too under strict adherence of Covid-19 protocols.
However, the Iawthymme market located at Ladthalaboh area, which is managed by Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council has been closed due to violation of Covid-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, the Jowai Presbyterian Church Market Management Committee has decided to close down the market located at Iaw Chyiap, Jowai on 7th of this month due to people’s failure to maintain Covid protocols.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today claimed that the containment measures imposed by the state Government are paying dividends. He however, indicated that “lockdown will be the last option” even as COVID -19 cases continued to surge in the capital city of Shillong.
The state government is in no mood to impose total lockdown in the city to contain the spread of virus. Tynsong said that the administration is reviewing the situation on daily basis after the enforcement of containment measures on the 1st of this month.
When asked about the response of people to the containment measures, he said that people by and large have responded positively to the call except a few stray incidents.
