Shillong: Meghalaya’s health authorities are stepping up their vigilance against COVID-19, initiating comprehensive preparedness measures across the state. This intensified focus comes despite the remarkable achievement of recording zero confirmed cases throughout 2025, a significant milestone since the pandemic first gripped the nation in 2020.
The decision to strengthen response systems was taken after a high-level review meeting led by Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, who heads the Medical Expert Committee, especially as national COVID-19 trends show a resurgence elsewhere.
The state’s robust disease surveillance data clearly indicates no confirmed COVID-19 infections have been reported this year, yet health officials are stressing the paramount importance of sustained alertness. “The need for heightened surveillance through increased testing and preparedness was accorded,” stated a directive from the health department, issued post the critical review session.
In line with the new directives, all government and private hospitals across Meghalaya are mandated to reassess their COVID-19 readiness. This includes a thorough check of oxygen supplies, intensive care capacity, and monitoring protocols for all respiratory infections. Facilities have been specifically instructed to bolster surveillance for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), Influenza-like Illness (ILI), and general fever cases, ensuring any potential outbreak is swiftly identified and contained.
During the meeting, the state surveillance officer from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme presented an exhaustive overview of COVID-19 patterns from 2020 right up to May 2025, alongside current vaccination coverage and the state’s overall public health response capabilities. Health officials have further directed medical facilities to “revisit inventories of essential drugs and ensure functionality of testing centres across districts.” The directive also underscores the need to monitor high-traffic locations, including markets and public institutions, where the risk of respiratory illness transmission remains elevated.
Medical institutions are also required to update their internal standard operating procedures, drawing valuable lessons from effective protocols developed during previous COVID-19 waves. The health department has affirmed its commitment to “maintaining vigilance, avoiding public panic, and working closely with medical experts and institutions to ensure community safety.” Kumar urged healthcare providers to adopt “a proactive and preventive approach, emphasising the importance of monitoring ILI/SARI/fever trends, especially in high-footfall areas like markets and public institutions,” ensuring Meghalaya remains a step ahead in safeguarding its citizens.
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