SHILLONG, Aug 8 - One more person has succumbed to COVID-19 infection in Meghalaya, taking the total death toll in the State to six. As many as 34 health workers, including doctors, nurses and support staff, have tested positive so far in East Khasi Hills district.
The person who passed away on Friday at the NEIGRIHMS, was also a diabetic. The State Government had not confirmed yesterday if the person died of COVID-19.
There are currently 594 active cases in the State. Seventeen new cases have been reported in the State during the past 24 hours and 13 patients also recovered from the viral infection during the same period.
The Director of Health Services, Aman War, said that several health workers have also contracted the virus in the relentless fight against COVID-19. �Thirty-four health workers, including doctors, nurses and support staff, have tested positive so far in East Khasi Hills district,� he said.
War added that the Health Department has asked all �hospitals to be vigilant� and prevent any health workers from going out from quarantine centres.
The Health Department has appointed 50 doctors, 200 nurses and over 100 laboratory technicians to fight the pandemic.
Out of the total active cases, East Khasi Hills has registered the highest with 453, Ri-Bhoi district has 65, West Jaintia Hills has 15, East Jaintia Hills 18, West Garo Hills 31, West Khasi Hills six and South West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills and North Garo Hills have two cases each.
So far 40,700 samples have been sent for testing, out of which 39,294 have tested negative and the results of 383 reports are awaited. As many as 423 patients have also recovered from the infection. A total of 26,286 people from across the country have also returned to the State.
