Dimapur surveillance team apologises for unintentional error
DIMAPUR, JUNE 4 (MExN): The State Government was in for another round of public criticism today as a returnee who tested positive for COVID-19 was sent to Jalukie from Dimapur in the same vehicle as those who had tested negative on June 3.
A press release from the Dimapur District Surveillance Officer (DSO) admitted that the patient was “mistakenly sent” along with other passengers to Peren.
The DSO informed that 17 passengers of the Shramik Special Chennai Express Train who tested negative were transported from Dimapur to Peren District at around 7:30- 8pm on June 3. However, on receiving the new batch of test results and upon contact tracing, it was learnt that one of the positive cases was mistakenly sent along with the passengers to Peren, the DSO added.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Peren District was immediately informed on the situation and to identify and isolate the positive case so that all necessary precautions could be taken.
“We deeply regret that inspite of our best efforts this unintentional error has been made by the District Surveillance Team Dimapur during this hour of crises,” the DSO stated.
Confusion over names
Meanwhile, a senior Health Department official admitted to the blunder. “We admit it was our fault. We have directed the Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur to submit an explanation report by tomorrow (June 5),” the official told The Morung Express.
As per the preliminary account, he said that it was the result of confusion over two women with similar names. Citing the account, he said that 17 people were transported to Peren from Dimapur on June 3. At roll call, the woman, who eventually turned out to be positive, responded, while the other with a similar name as hers reportedly did not.
“They were transported on the premise that all the people sent to Peren were negative because only the names of those who had tested negative were called out,” the official said.
He added, “They reached Peren around 9:00 pm last night. They were kept in the quarantine facility. This morning, when we received the result, we informed the Dimapur team. When the Dimapur team was checking the names, the person, who had tested negative, was found to be still there in Dimapur. The one who was positive turned out to be in Peren.”
The patient was admitted to the Jalukie Community Health Centre, which was hurriedly declared a COVID-19 Hospital today.
Demand for accountability
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), COVID-19, Peren District termed this as a violation of the latest SOP by the State Government. It added that this mistake has put the lives of people in the district at jeopardy, particular those accompanying the positive returnee and those already at different quarantine centers.
It stated that the subsequent sealing of quarantine centers as containment zone in Peren has crippled the district’s capacity to accommodate other returnees. The JAC also demanded immediate disciplinary action against the concerned officers.
The Jalukie Students’ Union Nagaland (JSUN) meanwhile urged the Government of Nagaland to initiate immediate necessary medical examination for the remaining 16 returnees who travelled along with the positive patient immediately.
Quarantine centres declared containment areas
Meanwhile, the District Task Force Peren along with JAC on COVID-19 held an emergency meeting and declared the JNV quarantine facility 1 block (A & B), GMS Sector (A) Jalukie as containment areas.
A DIPR report informed that CHC Jalukie has been declared as a COVID-19 Hospital. AINE Nursing Home will now cater to all non COVID-19 patients while Peren College has been activated as lodging facility for returnees from June 5 onwards. The meeting further decided that all activities shall proceed as per the SOP.
Liaison team for Peren constituted
Peren, June 4 (MExN): Deputy Commissioner, Peren, Sentiwapang Aier, NCS constituted a liaison team for COVID- 19 for Peren district related duty.
The team includes Tumben P Tsanglao, EAC, Tening, Peren, Liaison Officer cum Team Leader (7085799022/ 9774151383); Isile, Assistant General Manager, NST (9402016230); Sangthing Khiamniungan, LRSO (8074486162); Neiketuoko Nipu, UBI, Prosecuting Inspector (8131912629); R John Zeliang, President, ZYON (8974524750); Thinzan Zeliang, ZYON (8416061173) and Paotinlam Guite as team members.
The officer and team members shall liaise with the concerned officials from Dimapur district and ensure proper coordination with regard to logistics and communication for effective inter-district coordination on all COVID-19 related matters.
Details of all the necessary information collected is to be submitted to Control Room, Jalukie (6009915861) or to Rumbemo Kittan, EAC HQ (7085982434/ 8837419824) for further necessary action.
 MEETING RESOLUTION.JPG)
