Tura, April 27: On Sunday it was 11 arrivals to West Garo Hills who were detected carrying the Covid-19 virus. A day later, the figure had risen to 14 new positive cases among returnees. The total figure of infections in the district now stands at 53, a majority being returnees.
Is Garo Hills facing a potential human calamity from the spike of the infectious disease, is a question on many a citizen’s lips.
The surge in the number of Covid positive cases in just one week in Garo Hills, almost around the same time several major states across India began witnessing a phenomenal rise in infections and even deaths, has raised questions about how prepared we are and what steps need to be taken.
Vaccination and wearing of masks being the frontline protection for all, the chief minister Conrad K Sangma led from the front and took his second dose of the Covishield Vaccine in Tura on Monday.
On the same day, he visited an industrial unit in Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi, that manufactures oxygen tanks- something that has become crucial in the fight against deaths from Covid-19. He has assured all support from the state government to ensure the unit is able to run to its fullest, providing much-needed oxygen to hospitals and patients.
But, the biggest worry is on preventing any positive cases from going undetected in the state and region.
Two successive days of double-digit infection rates are alarming. More so, when it is coming from people, particularly younger generations, returning from states where the spike has been manifold.
West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh has confirmed that 22 new cases were detected on Monday and among them 14 are returnees.
The surveillance and screening teams based at the entry point of Barubari-Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills are now conducting screening and testing of all potential carriers into the region. All arriving vehicles, both private and commercial, passed through are now required to stop and register themselves and undergo testing.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has directed the district administration of North Garo Hills and West Garo Hills to coordinate and also see to it that there is no halt to surveillance and testing in view of the spike in infections.
It is to be mentioned that complaints were raised with the government after it was found that North Garo Hills district administration was not conducting any screening of arrivals after 5 PM each day thereby allowing dozens of vehicles with passengers to pass through untested for the virus.
“Maximum of the new Covid infection cases are found in those coming in from other states. On Sunday we detected 11 positive cases from a group of 45 and all were new arrivals,” said Ram Singh, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner.
In view of this sudden spike, the government has decided to make it compulsory for all arrivals to Garo Hills to undergo RT-PCR testing at the entry point.
Meanwhile, 2000 citizens in the age group of 45 and above took the covid vaccination during the first day of the free vaccination camp organized by the district administration in Tura.
The district administration plans to vaccinate as many as 5500 people in the vulnerable age group during the three-day camp which is primarily aimed for citizens of Tura town.
