<span style="color: #222222;">As Meghalaya records the highest number of COVID 19 cases on Thursday with 591 fresh cases with 18 deaths, the State Government has decided to extend the lockdown in East Khasi Hills district till May 24. East Khasi Hills district has the highest number of active COVID 19 cases with 2,121 out of the total 3,726 active cases registered so far in Meghalaya.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong after a review meeting today informed that all respective Deputy Commissioners of other districts have been authorised to take necessary steps to contain the spread of COVID 19 infection. The lockdown period which was supposed to end on May 17, at 5 am but it has been extended for another one week.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Other towns including Tura in West Garo Hills district and Jowai in West Jaintia Hills districts have also seen a considerable rise in COVID 19 cases. Seeing the situation, the State Government has imposed weekend lockdown in other districts.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The State on Thursday reported 18 COVID 19 related deaths today, 16 from East Khasi Hills, one each from East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills district. 228 recoveries were also reported today taking the total recovered cases to 17,582 in the state. The COVID 19 related death toll has reached 268.</span><br />''  <br />