SHILLONG, JULY 23: The state government has decided to go for aggressive random testing in as many as 71 clusters identified by the health department across the state to prevent community spread of the COVID-19.
“After seeing the present situation and taking into consideration the inputs furnished by the health department, we have decided to immediately undertake random testing in 71 clusters,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after a daily review meeting on Thursday.
The decision was taken after COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the state. The total active cases stood at 448 as of today even as many places in different districts have been declared as containment areas.
Those declared as containment areas include seven villages in West Jaintia Hills, six villages in East Jaintia Hills, Block-II of Lumpyngngad, Motinagar and BSF camp in Umpling in East Khasi Hills, Byrnihat to Khanapara in Ri Bhoi, which are bordering Assam.
He said that the 71 clusters across the eleven districts of the state have been identified by the health department as “vulnerable” to COVID-19. According to him, there may be around 30-40 villages in 1 cluster.
Tynsong informed that the random testing will be conducted by antigen kits. “Over 40,000 antigen test kits are available in the state while another 1.60 lakh are on the way,” he said.
Asked, the deputy chief minister said, “We have decided to continue with the random testing in a more aggressive manner across the state to prevent community spread of the disease.”
Earlier, random testing had been conducted in Umpling, Mawpat, Nongmynsong, Khanapara and others.
The state government has also requested the support and cooperation of over 7000 Community COVID-19 Management Committees in the massive exercise.
“These committees will be part of the operation and I request them to kindly work together with the team of health workers, who will be visiting their respective villages for the smooth conduct of the random testing,” Tynsong said.
Urging the committees to strictly follow the protocols and notification issued by the government, he said, “This is because there are times when some committees have failed to adhere to these protocols. Therefore, we need to work together in close coordination in this fight against the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, the state government has also expressed gratitude to all the health workers including doctors and nurses for working day and night in combating against the pandemic.
“We also take this opportunity to urge each and every citizen to remember them in their prayers,” Tynsong said.
The deputy chief minister also appealed to the citizens to strictly adhere to the notification issued by the health department relating to funeral services, which clearly stated that only 50 people are allowed to attend, for their own safety.
By Our Reporter
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