State has ‘sufficient’ vax doses

Shillong, April 27: At a time when several states are facing a shortage in supply of Covid-19 vaccines, Meghalaya has sufficient doses, a statement issued by Raj Bhavan today said.

Governor Satya Pal Malik held a consultative meeting with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Health Minister AL Hek and high-level officials to take stock of the pandemic situation.

It transpired during the meeting that the state has adequate doses of Covid-19 vaccine, 65 ICU beds about 700 beds with oxygen to cater to emergency cases.

The state on Tuesday recorded 147 fresh positive cases and four deaths, three of which were from East Khasi Hills. The number of recoveries in a day was at 90.

Of the 1,456 active cases, about 1,200 are below 45 years of age and vaccination is the only way to control the situation, the meeting concluded.

While apprising Malik of the high positivity rate in the state as compared to the last three months, the new quarantine rules and home monitoring, the chief minister said the state government never let its guard down and has ramped up testing and vaccination.

The governor was satisfied with the current levels of preparedness and planning and requested for consultative strategies to encourage more vaccination and create awareness about it.

Malik also suggested that health kits could be distributed among those in home isolation to ease the pressure on hospitals.

Speaking to the delegation, Malik said for asymptomatic and mild cases, home isolation and treatment could be provided. Besides home kits, he also suggested that doctors could visit them at home.

The suggestions were welcomed by the delegation, said the media statement.