Meghalaya: 13 returnees from the UK, 3 test negative
Shillong: Dr Aman Warr, Director of Health Services (MI), Meghalaya, on Monday informed that there are 13 returnees from the United Kingdom in Meghalaya, out of which 3 have tested negative.
Following the detection of a new coronavirus variant in the United Kingdom, Meghalaya health department is trying to ensure strict screening protocols.
Dr Warr informed, “Three of the returnees tested negative ad the remaining will be tested today. None of the returnees has shown any signs of symptoms. They will have to follow strict quarantine process for 14 days and another 14 days to stay on the safer side.”
He further added that a majority of these returnees hail from various parts of Shillong. They had returned from the UK before the outbreak of the new strain of the virus.
On December 23, the health and family welfare department had issued a notification mentioning that all entrants to the state from or transited through UK in the past four weeks (from November 25 to December 23) are required to declare their travel history (of past 14 days) to the state's surveillance units, and at the districts and undergo RT-PCR test.
Commissioner & Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Sampath Kumar in a statement mentioned, “All those tested positive shall be isolated in an institutional isolation facility in a separate (isolation) unit coordinated by the State Health Authorities. Those who are found negative on testing with RT-PCR are to undergo seven days of
institutional quarantine followed by another seven days of home quarantine, monitored by the IDSP/District Surveillance Officers.
All those who have entered the state from the United Kingdom in the past four weeks are requested to self-monitor for development of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 that is fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing for 28 days from the date of arrival from the UK. In case of development of symptoms put on a mask immediately, isolate oneself at home and inform the District Surveillance Officer or contact state helpline 108.”
