Meghalaya: NEIGRIHMS closes down general surgery ward after patient tests COVID-19 positive

Guwahati: The Department of General Surgery at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Shillong was shut after a woman, who was scheduled to undergo surgery, tested positive for COVID-19, a hospital official said.

"Due to this event the services in the Department of General Surgery, NEIGRIHMS, will be closed until further notice. Other services of the hospital will continue," said a statement issued by the NEIGRIHMS public relations officer.

According to the notification, patient with breast tumour was admitted in July 2020 in general surgery ward NEIGRIHMS for operation after testing negative for COVID-19.

"She was scheduled for operation next week but the repeat test for COVID-19 was positive, though she has no respiratory symptoms," the PRO's statement added.

On the same day, COVID-19 patient has passed away at the Shillong Civil hospital on Friday night. With this, the number of fatalities in the state rose up to 7.

Dr. Aman War, Director of Health Services (MI), said the patient has been identified as Ram Bashan Rai (58) from Jhalupara.

"He was admitted at Shillong Civil hospital on August 11, 2020, after being referred from woodland Hospital and passed away on 21 August at 10.45 pm. The cause of death is due to acute respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19," Dr. War said.

Meghalaya's COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,811 with the detection of 93 infections, Health Minister A L Hek said on Saturday.

Also Watch: Guwahati: Mega Cong Joining Event on Rajiv Gandhi's Birthday