MoS Jitendra Singh: 5 North-Eastern states Coronavirus-free, no new cases in other 3

Amid Coronavirus pandemic which has gripped entire country, Minister of State for Ministry of Development of rth Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh on Monday informed that five out of eight states in rastern region are w free from Coronavirus. se states are Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Presh, Manipur and Tripura. With 1396 fresh positive cases in country, total tally of Coronavirus cases has reached 27,892. 6,184 infected individuals have recovered from dely disease. 16 districts across country have t reported any new case in past 28 days.

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MoS Jitendra Singh also informed that three states namely, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram are t free of virus but have t reported any new cases in recent past. Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leership and priority given to rastern region's development in past six years. Furrmore, MoS ded that DoNER h me available a fund amounting to Rs 25 crore for state governments of region before lockdown was imposed.

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Meghalaya CM on containing COVID

In an exclusive conversation with Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conr Sangma said that preparedness of State for COVID-19 from beginning and response of team to first case of infection were two keys reasons for Meghalaya containing vel Coronavirus outbreak re.

"Meghalaya h started entire quarantine, isolation process way back on March 16. We closed down schools, tourist entry, State Assembly session, and or places. We h a Corona Awareness Day on March 22 before PM anunced Janta Curfew. All kinds of civil society institutions ensured public awareness," CM Conr Sangma said.

He recalled challenge state faced when first positive case was confirmed on April 13, that of a doctor, which led to contact tracing of around 6,000 people.

"It was a massive exercise for us to immediately implement. But a lot of work put down from first case allowed us to contain ( outbreak). We h a lockdown and all primary and secondary contacts were traced and tested. Quick implementation and early curfew models of Meghalaya were key to ensure it is under control," he said. 

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