A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Meghalaya, on Sunday, witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases with 106 new cases and one more death taking the tally of fatalities due to the virus to eight.
Director of Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman Warr informed that the deceased - Maheshwar Pratap Choubey 84, a resident of Tikrikilla Market Area was admitted to Tura Civil Hospital, West Garo Hills on August 18. He passed away at around 12:45 am on Sunday.
Dr. Warr said, "The cause of his death is acute respiratory distress syndrome with COVID-19. He also had comorbidities like heart disease, hypertension, epilepsy, diabetes and asthma."
With the new cases, the total number of active ones has reached 1,133.
Of the new cases on Sunday, East Khasi Hills recorded the most with 64 (armed forces/paramilitary forces 26 and others 38), followed by 16 from West Khasi Hills, and 10 from South Garo Hills. While West Garo Hills registered nine cases (Three from the armed forces or paramilitary forces; and six civilians), three each from East Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi; besides one from the North Garo Hills district.
The district-wise breakup of the active positive cases so far are as follows: East Khasi Hills: 723 (armed forces/paramilitary forces: 267; and civilians: 456); West Garo Hills: 223 (armed forces/paramilitary forces: 146; and civilians: 77); Ri-Bhoi: 94 (armed forces/paramilitary forces: 26; and civilians: 68); West Khasi Hills: 44; and East Jaintia Hills: 14. Besides there were 12 cases each from South Garo Hills (armed forces/paramilitary forces: 10; civilians: two) and North Garo Hills; South West Garo Hills: four; three each from East Garo Hills and West Jaintia Hills; and one from South West Khasi Hills.
Dr Warr also informed that the State recorded seven recoveries on Sunday, East Khasi Hills: three; Ri-Bhoi: two; and one each from North Garo Hills and East Jaintia Hills.
Meanwhile, the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh DC also informed that another 54-year-old male COVID-positive patient with comorbidities was discharged after after treatment from the COVID ward of the hospital on Sunday.