COVID-19 patient dies in Meghalaya; six family members test positive

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Shillong, Apr 15 () A doctor, who was till now thelone COVID-19 patient in Meghalaya, died on Wednesday morningwhile six members of his family, including his wife, testedpositive for the disease, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.

Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang, the 69-year-old founderof Bethany Hospitals, died at 2.45 am in the morning, a familymember told .

He had tested positive for the coronavirus on Mondayevening.

"I am saddened to inform that the first #COVID19positive patient in Meghalaya passed away this morning at 2.45am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Mayhis soul rest in peace," the chief minister tweeted.

"Of the 68 tested so far, 6 have come out positive whoare all family members & helpers of the of the first #Covid-19positive case. 6 other cases are being retested. All the restof the cases are negative," Sangma said in another twitterpost.

The Shillong premises of Bethany Hospitals, where DrSailo was admitted, and its second campus at Nongpoh in RiBhoi district, have been sealed and sanitised while alloccupants of the two facilities have been quarantined insidethe medical establishments, officials said.

The health authorities have traced around 2000 peoplewho had visited the Shillong premises of the hospital sinceMarch 22, they added. JOP ACDSK SK