Jengjal 'Cryogenic Plant' will be completed within a fixed timeframe: CM Conrad

*'18-plus people will get Coronavirus vaccine in mid-August'

* CM seeks cooperation from society, community leaders, church leaders and Nokmas to tackle pandemic

TURA: Saying that infrastructural expansion is the need of the hour to check the spread of virus, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has informed that the work order for a 'Cryogenic Plant' at Jengjal had been sanctioned and will be completed in 60 days.

Informing that main focus for COVID-vaccination at present are Shillong, Tura and Jowai, he said that mid-August this year is the target of the Government for vaccinating the 18-plus people. He also urged the stakeholders and Health workers to mobilize and motivate the people to avail of the free vaccination. Stressing on the need to guide the masses not to panic, the Chief Minister has sought the cooperation and support of the society, community leaders, church leaders, and Nokmas among others to tackle the pandemic. He also asked that cluster-based community care centers to ensure the safety of the people while urging the people to avoid social gathering.

The Chief Minister said this while reviewing the COVID-19 preparedness with the stakeholders at Tura Circuit House recently. Members of the COVID-19 management committees including the church leaders also participated.

Reviewing the preparedness to face the challenges of the second wave of the contagious virus, the Chief Minister informed that Tura, Phulbari and Purakhasia in West Garo Hills are now the hot spots. He asked the Health department to prepare the charts for blood-graph and hospitalization for daily monitoring to bring down the positivity rate.

Stressing on the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the State, the Chief Minister urged the Health officials to be active in dealing with the situation and highlighted the three-tier strategy adopted by the government to break the transmission of Coronavirus.

While talking about imposing restrictions in the wake of surging cases of COVID-19, the Chief Minister asked the district administration to consider the economic life of the people. He also stressed on the need to minimize the chances of contracting the disease by restricting the movement of people from one place to another, minimizing social gathering and maintaining social distancing.

North Tura MLA and Adviser to Chief Minister, Thomas A Sangma, suggested that the Health department should open more vaccination centers in and around Tura to intensify vaccination. He also urged the police department to monitor the public and ensure that they wear face masks properly.

Earlier during the meeting, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh presented the overview of the district. He informed that there are 172 active cases out of which 81 have recovered and the number of people under home quarantine are 139 and said that surveillance in the market areas of plain belt is being done to check the spread of COVID-19. He also informed that he is in touch with his Assam counterpart in terms of COVID-19 management.

Highlighting the arrangements in the hospitals for accommodating the COVID-19 patients, the District Medical & Health Officer informed that the positivity rate in the district is 7%. She also informed that 444 oxygen cylinders are available in Tura Civil Hospital and 4 to 6 B-type cylinders are required everyday, stated a release.

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