SHILLONG, APR 25: The state government on Thursday said the capacity of RT-PCR testing will be increased from 90 to 370 by mid-May even as 50,000 anti-body RD kits will be available by first week of May.
This was revealed during a high-level meeting was held between the state government and opposition leaders to discuss the prevailing COVID-19 situation here on Saturday.
The meeting was chaired by the Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh in the presence of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and leader of opposition Mukul Sangma.
Several suggestions were made by the members of the opposition and the Government welcomed many of the suggestions.
During the meeting, a detailed presentation was made by the Chief Secretary MS Rao detailing the steps taken by the government relating to management of the COVID-19 situation, movement of essential commodities, distribution of food grains, relief measures and other steps.
Rao informed that the government has increase the testing capacity since the detection of the first COVID-19 positive case.
“The capacity of RT-PCR testing is being increased from 90 to 370 by mid-May. 50,000 antibody RD kits will be available by first week of May,” he said.
The CS said health systems are being constantly strengthened- Adequate stocks of health equipment are now available across the State- PPE (64,458), N95 masks (80,190), BiPAP Machines (60) and 3-ply masks (5,10,000).
He said Quarantine, Corona-Care and Isolation Centres have been set up across the State to meet any surge situation.
He also said doctors and other Frontline medical staff including ambulance drivers and housekeeping staff are also being well taken care of.
According to him, surveillance and monitoring of all the registered 5200 individuals is being done by the government.
The framework for home quarantine and testing post 28th April was discussed in detail.
A joint statement issued after the meeting said that as per existing data, most people affected by the virus will not need hospitalization and will recover by being under home isolation.
“The government is fully prepared to deal with all cases that may need hospitalization,” it said.
The meeting also jointly urged all citizens to provide sensitive support to all COVID-19 positive individuals and those probable cases and not to stigmatize any individual as the virus can affect any person.
It also requested the citizens to be respectful and kind to all the health care staff and other frontline workers.
The citizens are asked not to be fearful of the virus and to follow the standard protocols relating to personal hygiene, hand washing, cough etiquette and social distancing.
Earlier, the CS also informed that food grain distribution (April quota) for the 21, 45, 145 NFSA beneficiaries and 7, 72, 694 non- NFSA beneficiaries has been completed. Distribution of May quota is under way.
He said distribution of Rs. 3000 one-time financial assistance for 10,287 Meghalaya Citizens stranded outside is underway.
He said benefits are also being provided under the various other schemes- PM KISAN (87, 187 farmers @ Rs. 2000), PM Jan Dhan Yojana (3,01,428 women account holders @ 1,500), Building and Construction Workers (17,649 workers @ Rs. 3000) and Assistance for unorganized Sector (2,02,281 workers @ Rs. 2,100 (applicants being verified)), Provision Kits for quarantined Households (5200 Households).
By Our Reporter
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