States »EasPosted at: Jun 4 2021 9:06PM Meghalaya extends lockdown for another week
Shillong, Jun 4 (UNI) Notwithstanding the marginal decline of COVID-19 cases, the Meghalaya government on Friday decided to extend the ongoing lockdown across the State, which includes
state capital Shillong, that was to have ended on 5 am on June 7, has been further extended up
to 5 am on June 14.
This is for the fourth consecutive time that the authorities have had to extend the lockdown in
the state.
"Though, the numbers are coming down, the positivity rate still remains at double digit, which is
a matter of concern. So though we are seeing a trend that is showing some kind of a relief and indicating some kind of an improvement in the overall situation, we are no where close to letting
our guards down or taking things easy," Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.
“Though, it has been very difficult for the people of the state, especially for Shillong, East Khasi
Hills district, the cabinet and the government has decided that we will continue with the lock-down
for at least one week more,” he announced after holding a review meeting.
Noting that the government is aware of the difficulties and challenges faced by the people, but
Chief Minister stressed that health aspect is far more important to each and everyone of us.
"As I said 104 people are fighting for their lives in different hospitals and today itself we have
lost so many precious lives," Sangma said, and urged the people to cooperate and work together
with the government.
"It is early to say but it looks like if we can control things in the next one week, if we all work
together, if we all are committed and we all simply bear this next one week, I am sure that in the
coming week after that, we should be able to see things improving drastically," the Chief Minister
said.
Sangma said the present strain of the virus is stronger and so many people have lost their lives.
He said that there are still many people who are seriously ill in the state.
“In the meantime, in the next one week, we are allowing the deputy commissioners to open up economic activities on a need basis,” the chief minister said, hinting at a relatively flexible
lock-down ahead.
The Chief Minister informed that of the 6,110 active COVID-19 cases in the state, 2,119 pertain
to those between the age of 15 and 29 and 1,781 between the age of 30 and 44, which means approximately 4,000 cases that is 70 percent are of those between the age of 15 and 45.
“Our positivity ratio has also seen a marginal decline in the past few weeks as we have seen
number of cases go down, testing emaining the same and not going up – the positivity ratio is
down from 16.4 percent to 12 percent as of now,” Sangma said.
“There are approximately 628 people who are in hospitals as we speak, of which 102 are in D category, which means they are in the ICU or under high oxygen flow, 227 Category-C, 115
Category-A and 184 Category-B,” he informed.
“We have shortage of vaccines but we are expecting another 66,000 doses for the 18-44 age category in the next five-six days time,” he said.
“Because of the shortage of the vaccines, we are not able to provide the vaccines to everybody
as per requirement and desire of the people,” he said, adding that additional vaccine vials would
also be made available for people of and above 45 years of age.
Meanwhile, Sangma said the Deputy Commissioners would take decisions in their respective
districts on opening up the economy “on a need basis” based on the ground situation.
He further informed that the state government is working on a modality for a possible third wave.
In the manual the government would get to decide when to impose a lockdown or what sort of
activities could be allowed.
It would also ensure that the health infrastructure is improved keeping in mind that the third wave
could affect new age groups of people in the state as the virus has been constantly mutating.
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