Mizoram not in hurry to declare itself COVID-19 free: Health Minister

Aizawl, May 7 () Mizoram is not in a hurry for the'COVID-19 free' tag as the state is still vulnerable and a newcase can be detected any time, Health Minister R Lalthanglianasaid.

The minister's comment comes even though the state'slone COVID-19 patient has tested negative more than once.

The patient, who is currently undergoing treatment atthe Zoram Medical College (ZMC) near Aizawl, has testednegative for the virus but is yet to be declared recovered,Lalthangliana said on Wednesday.

We are not in a hurry to declare our state as'COVID-19 free' because we are still vulnerable and can detecta new case at any time, he told .

The patient tested negative for coronavirus infectionfor the first time on April 27.

Four of his samples were collected and sent to Silcharon May 1, results of which came in as negative on Monday,Lalthangliana said.

The patient, who is in his early 50s, tested positiveon March 24 after returning from Amsterdam where he waspursuing higher studies in Theology.

Meanwhile, a COVID-19 patient from the Mizoram Housein Mumbai tested negative on Wednesday.

Lalthangliana said that of the eight patients from theMizoram House in Mumbai, six have tested negative so far.

A local staff of the Mizoram House and a Mizo personis at present undergoing treatment, he said.

Lalthangliana said that samples of seven people,including three suspects from the Lawngtlai district, havetested negative.

Samples of 17 inmates of the Mizoram House in Kolkatahave been collected for testing, he said. CORRSOM SOM