Meghalaya government to ramp up testing facilities across State

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has decided to ramp up testing facilities across the State and set up more corona care centres, even as it has appealed to the microbiologists to come forward and help in the fight against COVID-19.

Anticipating a surge of cases in the coming days due to community spread, State Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek said that more quarantine centres and corona care centres will have to be set up. He added that there is also a need to increase the testing facilities — a process that would include appointing microbiologists.

"The State is looking at increasing the number of micro-biologists to cater to the laboratories. Currently, we have only five microbiologists; that is not enough for the entire State. Therefore, I appeal to all the qualified microbiologists in the State to come forward and help the State and the people in our joint battle against COVID-19," said the Health Minister.

Hek also informed that he had suggested to the government to temporarily use the Crowborough Hotel and JW Mariott Hotel in Shillong as Corona Care Centres to accommodate the COVID-19 patients.

He also informed that the main reason behind the COVID-19 deaths in Meghalaya is mainly due to co-morbidities; and the patients reporting to the hospitals at the eleventh hour besides age factors. Urging people to avoid self medication, Hek said, "People should come forward and go to hospitals if they have serious ailments."

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