All in close contacts with Meghalaya Chief Minister advised to go for home isolation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 11, 2020

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday even as all high risk contacts have been asked to get themselves tested and go for home isolation.

The news broke out after the chief minister took to his twitter account to inform that he was tested positive for coronavirus.

“I have tested positive for #Covid-19. I am under home isolation and experiencing mild symptoms. I request all those who came in contact with me in the past 5 days to kindly keep a watch on their health and if necessary get tested. Stay safe,” Sangma tweeted.

Speaking to reporters, Health Minister Alexander Laloo Hek said that the health condition of the chief minister is stable although he has shown ‘very mild symptoms’.

“Doctors are available anytime (to attend and monitor the health condition of the CM). The CM will be tested again after five days,” Hek said.

Asked, the health minister however could not give the number of cabinet ministers who came into close contact with the chief minister and said that contact tracing is being carried out.

“All high risk contacts will have to go for testing…if they are negative, they need not go for self quarantine but if they don’t go for testing, it is advisable for them to go for self quarantine,” he said.

The health minister further informed that the chief minister’s office and official residence will have to be sanitized. “Athough now we will not able to sanitize his residence but we will immediately do it after he is tested negative,” he said.

It may be mentioned here that the chief minister is the sixth political leader tested positive for COVID-19 in the state, after former chief minister’s daughter and Ampati legislator, Miani D Shira also self declared on twitter on December 5.

Earlier, Health Minister AL Hek, Power Minister James Sangma, Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Phulbari legislator SG Esmatur Mominin had also tested positive for the virus and subsequently recovered.