Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao addressing the press conference in Kohima on December 22. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 22
With the central government asking provincial authorities to be more vigilant against the new Omicron variant of concern, Nagaland’s Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department has issued orders and advisories to all the districts of the state.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Principal Director for H&FW Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao said that the department is due precautions are being taken at all levels, especially with travelers and foreigners that are to the state. “We have served advisories to all the districts at the entry points, particularly Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Mon and Mokokchung,” he said.
With the festive season at hand, Dr Khimiao called upon the people to keep themselves on guard and not to be complacent. He also laid emphasis on following the COVID appropriate behaviors at all times and strongly recommended various measures to avoid post festival surge and a third wave of COVID-19.
Stating that the use of masks is highly effective in reducing transmission of any variant of concern, the health department stated that “Everyone should wear a mask in public places especially in crowded areas, social or indoor gatherings.” Along with this, it said that COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be highly effective against severe disease and death for any variant of concern, and as such, requested citizens to get vaccinated to avoid more deaths. The unvaccinated or those who have not availed second dose should receive it on time, it added.
Calling on all citizens to celebrate responsibly by limiting gatherings, crowd avoidance and adhering to responsible measures like use of mask and hand hygiene, it also requested anyone with COVID-19 like symptoms to come forward for testing and avoid crowd or public spaces.
Travellers should strictly adhere to laid down SOPs and monitor their health and symptoms, it added.
Sample of COVID-19 positive foreign returnee sent for genome sequencing
According to the PTI news agency, H&FW Department has sent the samples of a man who tested positive for COVID-19 on his return from the USA for genome sequencing (GS) to find the variant of the virus.
Dr Khimiao told reporters that the person had returned 8 days back and was in quarantine as per the laid down protocols and the test result has been found positive, the PTI report stated.
Stating that the GS report is expected in the next 5-6 days, Dr Khimiao said “Till the result of proper genome sequencing is out, we cannot say whether it is delta or omicron variant.”
Meanwhile, State Nodal Officer for BSL-3 laboratories Dr V Tina Khamo said that a proposal has been sent to the government to set up genome sequencing facilities in Kohima so that samples can be tested here and result declared quickly, PTI reported.
