Meghalaya: Phulbari MLA SG Esmatur Mominin tests COVID-19 positive

Guwahati: National People's Party (NPP) MLA from Phulbari SG Esmatur Mominin has tested positive for the COVID-19. He is the first legislator in the state to be infected with the virus.

"NPP MLA Estamur Mominin has tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon," an official from the Health Department informed on Tuesday.

Confirming this to The Sentinel Digital, Meghalaya health minister Al Hek said that the Phulbari MLA is the only legislator in the state to have tested positive for the virus. "Mominin has indeed tested positive for the coronavirus. As of now, he is the only one among legislators," Hek said over the phone.

The legislator also confirmed to media that he is asymptomatic and undergoing home quarantine.

According to Mominin, he was first tested negative via antigen test but tested positive on RT-PCR.

Forty-two more people, including Mominin, tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya on Tuesday, taking the state's tally to 3,076, Health Minister A L Hek said.

East Khasi Hills district reported 25 fresh infections, followed by West Garo Hills (13), South West Garo Hills (three), and Ri-Bhoi (one) districts.

As many as 156 patients were cured of the disease during the day, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 1,716, Health Services director Aman War said.

There are 1,343 active cases in the state now, while 17 patients have succumbed to the disease so far, War added.

Meghalaya health department has conducted 1.02 lakh tests for COVID-19 to date, the official added yesterday.

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