Things are turning serious in northeast.
In Meghalaya, a medico and founder of a popular hospital Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang died of coronavirus at around 2.45 am on April 15.
"I am deeply saddened to inform that the first #COVID19 positive patient in Meghalaya passed away
this morning at 2:45 am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace," Chief Minister Conrad Sangma tweeted.
Meghalaya government has also imposed curfew in Shillong and a nearby township Nongpoh.
Cases of Corona positive have already been reported from Mizoram (one case of a pastor who traveled to Amsterdam) and one in Nagaland (an employee with a private firm).
Two cases of corona positive in Tripura including one woman have travel history of traveling in train between Delhi and Guwahati. The train also reportedly had a number of Muslims and clerics who attended the now infamous Tablighi conference at Nizamudin in Delhi.
In Assam, the most populous state in northeast, the number of people affected by the unseen virus has gone up to 32.
A fresh case of COVID-19 has been reported from Dhubri district, a region with substantial Muslim presence.
The latest COVID-19 patient in Assam is the wife of a COVID-19 positive person.
Taking to Twitter, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "Alert ~ A woman from Dhubri has tested #COVID positive. She is wife of a #COVID19 positive person who is connected both with #NizamuddinMarkaz, and Athgaon Kabristan congregation in Guwahati".
What has enhanced the fear in Christian-dominated states in idyllic hilly region in northeast of India is the fact
that few 'relatives' and 'helpers' of the deceased medico has also tested positive.
Of the 68 tested from the samples of 90 in Meghalaya - mostly from the hospital and contacts - so far, six more have come out positive.
They all are "family members and helpers of the first #Covid19 positive case (Dr Sailo)", the Chief Minister said.
Six other caases were being retested and all the rest are negative.
Bethany Hospital in capital Shillong and another in small hamlet Nongpoh have been sealed.
Chief Secretary Meghalaya has issued an Urgent Notice stating anyone who visited Bethany Hospital Shillong on or after March 22 or Bethany Hospital Nongpoh on or after March 30, should get in touch with authorities or register themselves with government on the coronavirus related online.
"You and your family should self quarantine at home. We will get in touch with you," the notice said.
It is presumed that the deceased medico Dr Sailo had contracted the disease from pilot son in law, who traveled from New York to Delhi on March 16.
The episode in Meghalaya is a matter of concern in other northeastern states too.
The pilot, who works for Air India, had traveled from Delhi to Imphal (capital of Manipur) on March 17 and on March 20, he traveled from Imphal to Delhi. On March 24, the pilot then traveled from Delhi to Shillong where he was put under "home quarantine".
However, the present/latest status of the pilot is known being revealed yet.
It’s been almost 48 hours since the news was made public and the media and social media jumping in to vilify us. The ripples have reached my family in Manipur and Nagaland. Nobody has been spared.
The coronavirus is a tiny virus- unseen, lifeless yet intelligent. And yet, it has made us humans, the greatest creation of God, show our ugliest side.
Up until the time I write this, I believe I have tested negative twice. I have not been officially informed but I conclude so, as sample collection was repeated on two successive days. I was told a third sample would be taken. CM Conrad Sangma’s 10:17 tweet also said that fresh tests are being taken. It is well into the day and we are still waiting for our samples to be collected.
Six of my wife’s family members have unfortunately tested positive. There have been no efforts to segregate us, we have not been taken to quarantine. We are still all together in the same house.
Many of you have read my travel itinerary and maybe feel I am an irresponsible traveller. Flying is my profession. Pilots unfortunately do not have the luxury of being quarantined, except in the case of this unprecedented lockdown, but we take the highest care because our professions demand of it.
Upon my return from the US on March 14, I travelled to Imphal on March 16. I was called to Delhi on March 20 to operate a flight to Rome to evacuate Indian citizens from Italy.
It turned out that one of my colleagues operated that flight instead. I stayed back in Delhi for any other emergent assignment that may have been required of me, considering the situation. On the announcement of the lockdown, I returned to Shillong on March 24 and remained under home quarantine, thoroughly observing all respected sterilisation and isolation protocols for 14 days and emerged on April 7.
Perhaps I will be tested positive the third time around, and I will be most regretful if I did. But even then, is this how we fight the virus together? Look at what we have come to as humans, created in perfection!
It might be pertinent to consider that one of the patients that Dr Sailo treated in the line of duty may be responsible for the transmission. The search and isolation of this person is where the state’s energy and resources should be directed at, not target people with or without reason.
My father-in-law literally spent his life in the treatment of his patients. This is not an acceptable way to honour his memory. I request the Meghalaya government to make official the test results and let the baying crowd pass their final judgement (as reported in regional media)
In Assam:
Golaghat district has reported the highest of nine cases.
Other affected regions in the state are four each from Goalpara, Nalbari Morigaon and Dhubri, two from Silchar, one each from Hailakandi, Kamrup, Lakhimpur and South Salmara.
Two COVID-19 patients were released from hospital on Wednesday as they recovered from coronavirus, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Two males, aged 55 and 46-year-old respectively, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi, and hailing from Morigaon district were released from the Sonapur district hospital this evening, the minister said at a press conference.
The duo had tested negative twice after tests were conducted following 14 days of treatment on April 13 and 14.
Mandatory chest X-ray was conducted and the doctors certified that they have no symptoms of cough and cold, Sarma said.
According to WHO guidelines, the recovered persons must stay in isolation for the next 14 days and the government will keep them in the guest house of Hindustan Paper Corporation at Jagiroad, he said.
Another positive person from Morigaon tested negative on April 13 but was found positive on Tuesday and so further repeat tests will be conducted on him again, the minister said.
Three more persons being treated in Goalpara Civil Hospital are expected to be released on Thursday, he added.
With the release of these two persons, 29 others from the state are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals and one person died while another from Nagaland tested COVID-19 positive at Guwahati Medical College Hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment.
A woman, wife of a COVID-19 patient, who attended both the congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi and Athgaon Kabristan Masjid in Guwahati, tested positive on Tuesday night taking the total to 32, including one dead, in the state.
The 25-year old woman from Dhubri, mother of three minor children, tested positive at Barpeta Medical College Hospital, and was shifted to Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital in Guwahati where her husband is also being treated, Sarma said.
The children, however, tested negative, he added.
The condition of all positive cases, except a cancer patient, who was the first to test positive in Silchar, are stable and they would be gradually released, if their condition do not deteriorate, he said.
"We expect the cases related to the Nizamuddin event to close by April 20 as all those who attended have been either quarantined or isolated", he said.
Thirty one of the 32 patients in the state are connected with the Jamaat event.
The minister said that 50,000 PPEs are being imported from China directly by the state government.
"We already have one lakh PPEs and with the arrival of this consignment, we will be nearer to our target of two lakh at which it will be capped", Sarma said.
*All health services, including AYUSH, will remain functional. These include hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, telemedicine facilities, dispensaries, chemists, pharmacies and all kinds of medicine shops.
*Veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, pathology labs, sale and supply of vaccine and medicines will remain functional.
*Manufacturing units of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical oxygen and those manufacturing their packaging material, raw material and intermediates will remain functional. So will construction of health infrastructure.
*All agricultural and horticultural activities to remain fully functional. These include farming operations by farmers and farm workers in fields and agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations.
*'Mandis' operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee or as notified by state and Union Territory governments will remain functional
*Movement of fish and shrimps, and fish products, fish seed and feed will be allowed, and workers for all these activities will operate.
*Operations of tea, coffee and rubber plantations, with a maximum of 50 per cent workers, will be allowed. Processing, packaging, sale and marketing of tea, coffee, rubber and cashew, with a maximum of 50 per cent workers, is allowed.
*Collection, processing, distribution and sale of milk and milk products by milk processing plants, including transport and supply chain, operation of animal husbandry farms such as poultry farms and hatcheries and livestock farming activity will be allowed.
In the financial sector, the following will remain functional:
*Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and RBI regulated financial markets and entities like NPCl, CCIL.
*Bank branches and ATMs.
*SEBI, and capital and debt market services as notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), IRDAI and Insurance companies.
In the social sector, the following will remain functional:--
*Operation of homes for children, disabled/mentally challenged, senior citizens, destitutes, women, widows, observation homes, after care homes and places of safety for juveniles.
*Disbursement of social security pensions, such as old age, widow, freedom fighter pensions; pension and provident fund services.
*Operation of anganwadis - distribution of food items and nutrition once in 15 days at the doorsteps of beneficiaries like children, women and lactating mothers. Beneficiaries will not attend the anganwadis.
In the education sector:
*All educational, training, coaching institutions shall remain closed. These establishments will maintain the academic schedule through online teaching.
*Maximum use of Doordarshan (DD) and other educational channels can be made for teaching purposes.
*MGNREGA works are allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and face masks.
Public utilities that will remain functional:
*Operation of the oil and gas sector, including refining, transportation, distribution, storage and retail of products like petrol, diesel, kerosene, CNG, LPG, PNG.
*Postal services, including post offices.
*Operations of utilities in water, sanitation and waste management sectors, at municipal local body levels in states and UTs.
*Operation of utilities providing telecommunications and internet services. Movement loading, unloading of goods and cargo (inter and intra state) is allowed.
*All goods traffic will be allowed to ply.
*Movement of all trucks and other goods and carrier vehicles with two drivers and one helper subject to the driver carrying a valid driving licence. An empty truck or vehicle will be allowed to ply after the delivery of goods, or for pick up of goods.
*Shops for truck repairs and dhabas on highways, with a stipulated minimum distance as prescribed by the states and UT authorities.
*Supply of essential goods is allowed.
*Shops (including kirana and single shops selling essential goods) and carts, including ration shops (under PDS), dealing with food and groceries (for daily use), hygiene items, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, poultry, meat and fish, animal feed and fodder etc, should be allowed to operate, ensuring strict social distancing without any restriction on their timing.
Commercial and private establishments, as listed below, will be allowed to operate:
*Print and electronic media, including broadcasting, DTH and cable services.
*IT and IT enabled services, with up to 50 per cent strength; data and call centres for government activities only.
*E-commerce companies. Vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessary permissions.
*Courier services.
*Services provided by self-employed persons like electricians, IT repair personnel, plumbers, motor mechanics, and carpenters.
Movement of persons is allowed in the following cases:
*Private vehicles for emergency services, including medical and veterinary care, and for procuring essential commodities.
One passenger besides the private vehicle driver can be permitted in the backseat, in case of four-wheelers. However, in case of two-wheelers, only the driver of the vehicle is to be permitted.
Persons to remain under mandatory quarantine:
*All such persons who have been directed by health care personnel to remain under strict home/institutional quarantine for a period as decided by local health authorities.
*Persons violating quarantine will be liable to legal action under Section 188 of the lPC.
In Meghalaya, a medico and founder of a popular hospital Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang died of coronavirus at around 2.45 am on April 15.
"I am deeply saddened to inform that the first #COVID19 positive patient in Meghalaya passed away
this morning at 2:45 am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace," Chief Minister Conrad Sangma tweeted.
Meghalaya government has also imposed curfew in Shillong and a nearby township Nongpoh.
Cases of Corona positive have already been reported from Mizoram (one case of a pastor who traveled to Amsterdam) and one in Nagaland (an employee with a private firm).
Two cases of corona positive in Tripura including one woman have travel history of traveling in train between Delhi and Guwahati. The train also reportedly had a number of Muslims and clerics who attended the now infamous Tablighi conference at Nizamudin in Delhi.
In Assam, the most populous state in northeast, the number of people affected by the unseen virus has gone up to 32.
A fresh case of COVID-19 has been reported from Dhubri district, a region with substantial Muslim presence.
The latest COVID-19 patient in Assam is the wife of a COVID-19 positive person.
Taking to Twitter, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "Alert ~ A woman from Dhubri has tested #COVID positive. She is wife of a #COVID19 positive person who is connected both with #NizamuddinMarkaz, and Athgaon Kabristan congregation in Guwahati".
What has enhanced the fear in Christian-dominated states in idyllic hilly region in northeast of India is the fact
that few 'relatives' and 'helpers' of the deceased medico has also tested positive.
Of the 68 tested from the samples of 90 in Meghalaya - mostly from the hospital and contacts - so far, six more have come out positive.
They all are "family members and helpers of the first #Covid19 positive case (Dr Sailo)", the Chief Minister said.
Six other caases were being retested and all the rest are negative.
Bethany Hospital in capital Shillong and another in small hamlet Nongpoh have been sealed.
Chief Secretary Meghalaya has issued an Urgent Notice stating anyone who visited Bethany Hospital Shillong on or after March 22 or Bethany Hospital Nongpoh on or after March 30, should get in touch with authorities or register themselves with government on the coronavirus related online.
"You and your family should self quarantine at home. We will get in touch with you," the notice said.
It is presumed that the deceased medico Dr Sailo had contracted the disease from pilot son in law, who traveled from New York to Delhi on March 16.
The episode in Meghalaya is a matter of concern in other northeastern states too.
The pilot, who works for Air India, had traveled from Delhi to Imphal (capital of Manipur) on March 17 and on March 20, he traveled from Imphal to Delhi. On March 24, the pilot then traveled from Delhi to Shillong where he was put under "home quarantine".
However, the present/latest status of the pilot is known being revealed yet.
Son-in-law issues statement:
Arthur Wungthingthing is son-in-law of Dr. John L. Sailio Rynthathiang, director of Bethany Hospital in Shillong,
The coronavirus is a tiny virus- unseen, lifeless yet intelligent. And yet, it has made us humans, the greatest creation of God, show our ugliest side.
Up until the time I write this, I believe I have tested negative twice. I have not been officially informed but I conclude so, as sample collection was repeated on two successive days. I was told a third sample would be taken. CM Conrad Sangma’s 10:17 tweet also said that fresh tests are being taken. It is well into the day and we are still waiting for our samples to be collected.
Six of my wife’s family members have unfortunately tested positive. There have been no efforts to segregate us, we have not been taken to quarantine. We are still all together in the same house.
Many of you have read my travel itinerary and maybe feel I am an irresponsible traveller. Flying is my profession. Pilots unfortunately do not have the luxury of being quarantined, except in the case of this unprecedented lockdown, but we take the highest care because our professions demand of it.
Upon my return from the US on March 14, I travelled to Imphal on March 16. I was called to Delhi on March 20 to operate a flight to Rome to evacuate Indian citizens from Italy.
It turned out that one of my colleagues operated that flight instead. I stayed back in Delhi for any other emergent assignment that may have been required of me, considering the situation. On the announcement of the lockdown, I returned to Shillong on March 24 and remained under home quarantine, thoroughly observing all respected sterilisation and isolation protocols for 14 days and emerged on April 7.
Perhaps I will be tested positive the third time around, and I will be most regretful if I did. But even then, is this how we fight the virus together? Look at what we have come to as humans, created in perfection!
It might be pertinent to consider that one of the patients that Dr Sailo treated in the line of duty may be responsible for the transmission. The search and isolation of this person is where the state’s energy and resources should be directed at, not target people with or without reason.
My father-in-law literally spent his life in the treatment of his patients. This is not an acceptable way to honour his memory. I request the Meghalaya government to make official the test results and let the baying crowd pass their final judgement (as reported in regional media)
 |
| Arthur: Courtesy NE Now |
In Assam:
Golaghat district has reported the highest of nine cases.
Other affected regions in the state are four each from Goalpara, Nalbari Morigaon and Dhubri, two from Silchar, one each from Hailakandi, Kamrup, Lakhimpur and South Salmara.
Two COVID-19 patients were released from hospital on Wednesday as they recovered from coronavirus, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Two males, aged 55 and 46-year-old respectively, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi, and hailing from Morigaon district were released from the Sonapur district hospital this evening, the minister said at a press conference.
The duo had tested negative twice after tests were conducted following 14 days of treatment on April 13 and 14.
Mandatory chest X-ray was conducted and the doctors certified that they have no symptoms of cough and cold, Sarma said.
According to WHO guidelines, the recovered persons must stay in isolation for the next 14 days and the government will keep them in the guest house of Hindustan Paper Corporation at Jagiroad, he said.
Another positive person from Morigaon tested negative on April 13 but was found positive on Tuesday and so further repeat tests will be conducted on him again, the minister said.
Three more persons being treated in Goalpara Civil Hospital are expected to be released on Thursday, he added.
With the release of these two persons, 29 others from the state are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals and one person died while another from Nagaland tested COVID-19 positive at Guwahati Medical College Hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment.
A woman, wife of a COVID-19 patient, who attended both the congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi and Athgaon Kabristan Masjid in Guwahati, tested positive on Tuesday night taking the total to 32, including one dead, in the state.
The 25-year old woman from Dhubri, mother of three minor children, tested positive at Barpeta Medical College Hospital, and was shifted to Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital in Guwahati where her husband is also being treated, Sarma said.
The children, however, tested negative, he added.
The condition of all positive cases, except a cancer patient, who was the first to test positive in Silchar, are stable and they would be gradually released, if their condition do not deteriorate, he said.
"We expect the cases related to the Nizamuddin event to close by April 20 as all those who attended have been either quarantined or isolated", he said.
Thirty one of the 32 patients in the state are connected with the Jamaat event.
The minister said that 50,000 PPEs are being imported from China directly by the state government.
"We already have one lakh PPEs and with the arrival of this consignment, we will be nearer to our target of two lakh at which it will be capped", Sarma said.
Key points in the GoI, Ministry of Home Affairs' new guidelines:
*All health services, including AYUSH, will remain functional. These include hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, telemedicine facilities, dispensaries, chemists, pharmacies and all kinds of medicine shops.
*Veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, pathology labs, sale and supply of vaccine and medicines will remain functional.
*Manufacturing units of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical oxygen and those manufacturing their packaging material, raw material and intermediates will remain functional. So will construction of health infrastructure.
*All agricultural and horticultural activities to remain fully functional. These include farming operations by farmers and farm workers in fields and agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations.
*'Mandis' operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee or as notified by state and Union Territory governments will remain functional
*Movement of fish and shrimps, and fish products, fish seed and feed will be allowed, and workers for all these activities will operate.
*Operations of tea, coffee and rubber plantations, with a maximum of 50 per cent workers, will be allowed. Processing, packaging, sale and marketing of tea, coffee, rubber and cashew, with a maximum of 50 per cent workers, is allowed.
*Collection, processing, distribution and sale of milk and milk products by milk processing plants, including transport and supply chain, operation of animal husbandry farms such as poultry farms and hatcheries and livestock farming activity will be allowed.
In the financial sector, the following will remain functional:
*Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and RBI regulated financial markets and entities like NPCl, CCIL.
*Bank branches and ATMs.
*SEBI, and capital and debt market services as notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), IRDAI and Insurance companies.
In the social sector, the following will remain functional:--
*Operation of homes for children, disabled/mentally challenged, senior citizens, destitutes, women, widows, observation homes, after care homes and places of safety for juveniles.
*Disbursement of social security pensions, such as old age, widow, freedom fighter pensions; pension and provident fund services.
*Operation of anganwadis - distribution of food items and nutrition once in 15 days at the doorsteps of beneficiaries like children, women and lactating mothers. Beneficiaries will not attend the anganwadis.
In the education sector:
*All educational, training, coaching institutions shall remain closed. These establishments will maintain the academic schedule through online teaching.
*Maximum use of Doordarshan (DD) and other educational channels can be made for teaching purposes.
*MGNREGA works are allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and face masks.
Public utilities that will remain functional:
*Operation of the oil and gas sector, including refining, transportation, distribution, storage and retail of products like petrol, diesel, kerosene, CNG, LPG, PNG.
*Postal services, including post offices.
*Operations of utilities in water, sanitation and waste management sectors, at municipal local body levels in states and UTs.
*Operation of utilities providing telecommunications and internet services. Movement loading, unloading of goods and cargo (inter and intra state) is allowed.
*All goods traffic will be allowed to ply.
*Movement of all trucks and other goods and carrier vehicles with two drivers and one helper subject to the driver carrying a valid driving licence. An empty truck or vehicle will be allowed to ply after the delivery of goods, or for pick up of goods.
*Shops for truck repairs and dhabas on highways, with a stipulated minimum distance as prescribed by the states and UT authorities.
*Supply of essential goods is allowed.
*Shops (including kirana and single shops selling essential goods) and carts, including ration shops (under PDS), dealing with food and groceries (for daily use), hygiene items, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, poultry, meat and fish, animal feed and fodder etc, should be allowed to operate, ensuring strict social distancing without any restriction on their timing.
Commercial and private establishments, as listed below, will be allowed to operate:
*Print and electronic media, including broadcasting, DTH and cable services.
*IT and IT enabled services, with up to 50 per cent strength; data and call centres for government activities only.
*E-commerce companies. Vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessary permissions.
*Courier services.
*Services provided by self-employed persons like electricians, IT repair personnel, plumbers, motor mechanics, and carpenters.
Movement of persons is allowed in the following cases:
*Private vehicles for emergency services, including medical and veterinary care, and for procuring essential commodities.
One passenger besides the private vehicle driver can be permitted in the backseat, in case of four-wheelers. However, in case of two-wheelers, only the driver of the vehicle is to be permitted.
Persons to remain under mandatory quarantine:
*All such persons who have been directed by health care personnel to remain under strict home/institutional quarantine for a period as decided by local health authorities.
*Persons violating quarantine will be liable to legal action under Section 188 of the lPC.
No comments:
Post a Comment