Mizoram on Saturday became a Covid-19 free state with its lone patient being discharged from a hospital after he was declared fully recovered from the virus.

The Christian-dominated state has now become coronavirus-free along with four northeastern states — Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Mizoram health minister Dr R. Lalthangliana said the lone Covid-19 patient was discharged from Zoram Medical College (ZMC), as four consecutive samples tested negative. The patient was discharged on Saturday afternoon after intense treatment for around 45 days, he said.

Lalthangliana praised God for “His marvellous deeds” and thanked doctors, nurses and staff of ZMC for successfully treating the patient.

According to health department officials, the patient has been advised home quarantine for 14 days, after which a medical check-up will be conducted.

The patient was accorded a warm welcome in his locality in Aizawl on Saturday.

Lalthangliana said Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan congratulated Mizoram for becoming Covid-19-free on Saturday.

The Union minister also congratulated the state for the 10-point drop in infant mortality rate (IMR) and occupying the second rank among the states in reducing IMR, Lalthangliana said.

The Covid-19 patient, a pastor in his early fifties working under Baptist Church of Mizoram, returned from Amsterdam, where he was pursuing higher studies in theology, on March 16.

He tested positive for novel coronavirus on March 24 and was admitted to ZMC that night.

Plea on stranded

Lalthangliana informed Vardhan on Saturday that more than 500 people from Mizoram are currently stranded in different parts of the world, according to an official.

While citing that no resident of Mizoram was among the 15,000 Indians, who were brought back from abroad recently, Lalthangliana urged Vardhan to take measures to facilitate their safe return.

Vardhan assured Lalthangliana of all possible help to bring back Mizoram residents stranded abroad.

He said Mizoram had imposed its lockdown ahead of the nationwide lockdown and also began screening at airports ahead of other states.

He told Vardhan that Mizoram, being sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar, was facing a tough task in guarding its borders.

He said there are as many as 200 entry points along the borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar, where Assam Rifles, BSF, state police and village task forces are maintaining round-the-clock vigil.

Vardhan also praised Mizoram for successfully installing a virology lab in a week.