55 fresh cases take Meghalaya's COVID-19 tally to 1,716

Shillong, August 21 (PTI): At least 55 more people, including five security personnel, tested positive for COVID- 19 in Meghalaya on Friday, taking the northeastern state''s tally to 1,716, a Health Department official said.

Of the new cases, 31 were reported from East Khasi Hills, 17 from West Khasi, three from West Garo, two from East Garo and one each from Ri-Bhoi and West Jaintia, Health Services Director Aman War said.

"Three BSF personnel from West Garo Hills and two employees of the Indian Air Force from East Khasi Hills are among new patients," he said.

Fourteen more people were cured of the disease on Friday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 744, war said, adding six patients have died so far.

Meghalaya currently has 966 active COVID-19 cases, he said.

East Khasi Hills district, of which state capital Shillong is a part, has the highest number of active cases at 602, followed by West Garo Hills (221) and Ri-Bhoi (92), War said.

"Of the 602 active cases in East Khasi Hills district, 227 are security personnel," he said.

Meghalaya had reported its highest single-day spike of 126 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

More than 45,100 samples have been tested for the infection so far, the official added.