To date, Meghalaya has reported 142 cases of coronavirus infection. (Representative)
Shillong:
The hospital of the Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGHRIMS) of Meghalaya, in the north-east of Indira Gandhi, was closed for outpatient and emergency patients after a patient was tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement issued by the director of the hospital, Dr P Bhattacharryya, said that the indoor patient care services will remain operational. State health authorities have been informed of the development.
According to the press release, a resident of the border security forces (BSF) headquarters in Umpling underwent an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 on July 1, whose reports are negative. Following this, he was admitted to the hospital’s non-COVID service. However, he was subsequently tested positive for the virus.
“The patient, a BSF resident, Umpling, had an RT-PCR test on July 1, which was negative. He was then admitted to the orthopedic service (non-COVID service) on July 4 on the basis from his recent report. He developed fever during his stay and on July 9, another RT-PCR was performed, which was positive, “he said.
The patient has now been transferred to a COVID service.
As the patient had a large contact footprint in the hospital, the hospital authority said NEIGHBORS should now be decontaminated and follow-up of internal contacts should be done.
“This is a major exercise, the NEIGRIHM hospital services, including the OPD and the emergency services, will be closed until further notice,” Bhattacharryya said in the statement.
In the past two days, 68 BSF staff have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.
Meghalaya has reported 142 cases of coronavirus infection and two deaths to date. There are 95 active cases in the state, while 45 people have recovered from the disease and two have died.
