Shillong, Nov 17: With Meghalaya continuing to report COVID-19 cases albeit in smaller numbers on a daily and few deaths, the state government hasn’t let down its guard against the pandemic even as Health & Family Welfare Minister James K Sangma urged people to continue to follow the COVID norms and the protocols.
At the same time, the government is preparing for a possible third wave of COVID-19 pandemic. “We are preparing for any eventuality or any kind of possibility of a third wave but we hope that the third wave does not come. Having said that, we are in full preparation to make sure that we will be prepared for any kind of eventuality,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
He also stated that the government is constantly monitoring the situation as cases keep cropping up.
COVID protocols violations during bypolls
On the violation of the COVID protocols during the just concluded Assembly bypolls and new district inauguration, Sangma said that the government is trying to maintain that kind of vigil to make sure that people follow the norms and the protocols.
“Yes, sometimes very unfortunate there are large gatherings, protocols are not followed but I would like to appeal to the public let us not let our guards down, we can never say what the situation and how it will unfolds and we should always be vigilant and make sure that we follow those kind of protocols which have proven to slow down the process of the spread,” he said.
Zero COVID-19 cases
Asked as to when will Meghalaya get to record zero cases of COVID-19, the minister said the government is trying to reach out and convince people who are yet to get vaccinated.
“We are also making sure that if there are cases of infection which turn out to be of a serious nature, then we have enough beds, oxygen and medical response to take care of those.
To really look at having zero cases is something that we as leaders, as government, as society would love to see a situation where cases are reduced to zero but that is something we all wish for but that cannot be said whether there will be zero cases or not,” he said.
Vaccination Coverage
Sangma also expressed optimism that the state will be able to achieve 100 percent vaccination coverage of eligible citizens before Christmas.
“Yes as a government we are pushing so that we can achieve the target of 100% and we hope people come forward,” he said.
On the status of prefab structures for COVID hospitals in Shillong and Tura, the minister said works are going on and are nearing completion.
