107 test positive for COVID-19 in Kohima amid fears of surge

Representational  Image

Representational Image

•    Highest single-day spike since November 20
•    Training institute in Phesama declared containment zone

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 31

After weeks of maintaining a low trend in detection of COVID-19 cases, Nagaland reported 107 new cases on Wednesday.

According to an update from State Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom, all 107 cases on Wednesday were from the State capital Kohima. With the detection of these cases, the State’s tally of active cases has increased to 113.

The last report of cases crossing the 100-mark in a single day in the State was on November 20, 2020 with 148 positive cases. Till date, the State’s highest single day spike was on September 11, 2020 with 310 cases.

After the last report of 32 new cases on January 14 and 22 cases on February 6 this year, there had been a decline in reports of new COVID-19 cases in the State with just 3 cases being registered on March 29.

The sudden surge in cases has raised concerns about increased spread of the disease in the State, especially after the State government recently eased lockdown regulations.

The total caseload of COVID-19 positive cases as on March 31 is 12,340 while recovery tally is 11,980.

The death toll from the infection is 91 till date, out of which 10 deaths are ‘not COVID related’.

Meanwhile, St Paul Training Institute, Phesama has been declared as containment zone, mapped and cordoned off in view of detection of COVID-19 positive cases.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie has issued an order stating that there shall strictly be no entry or exit from the containment zone. This was necessitated to map the local transmission of the disease and prevent the contagion from spreading, the order stated.

Residents within the containment zone will be regularly monitored by the medical team over phone or otherwise, till they recover or test negative for COVID-19 infection, and shall henceforth be fully governed by the various.

SOPs/Advisory/guidelines and discharge policy of the Government, it added.

The public and all concerned have been advised to follow all safety precautions of wearing masks all the time, frequently washing hands and maintaining social/physical distances to ensure public and personal safety within the proximity of the containment zone.

The order further stated that failure to comply with the aforementioned guidelines will be penalized under Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 and relevant sections of IPC.