More recoveries, positivity drops below 2%
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 26
COVID-19 cases in Nagaland continued to drop for the fourth straight week. As per data released by the state Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) on February 26, detection of new cases dropped by 75 percent from the previous week.
The tally for the 7-day period (February 19-25) was 55 new cases as opposed to 223 cases reported the previous week. The sample positivity rate was at 1.9 percent, the lowest since the first week of January.
All districts reported weekly sample positivity rate of less than 5 percent. The biggest shift was observed in Wokha, where it dropped from 12.5 percent to zero. In Dimapur, Kohima and Tuensang, it dropped to 1.9, 1.1 and 2.4 percent.
Despite the semblance of things turning for the better, the IDSP advised caution, stating, “Masking is strongly advised in public places along with covid-19 vaccination.”
Further, the state reported one confirmed COVID-19 death, in Dimapur. As per the IDSP, the deceased patient had co-morbidities and was not vaccinated. It added, “Vaccination including precautionary (3rd dose) dose among the high risk (elderly and those with co-morbidities) is most essential to reduce deaths and hospital admissions as COVID-19 disease is here to stay.”
It also noted decline in hospitalisation of positive cases with only 8 hospital admissions (7 in Dimapur and 1 in Longleng) recorded during the week.
229 recovers
As detection dropped, the number of patients recovering increased significantly. For the fourth consecutive week, recoveries far outnumbered detection of new cases with the state reporting 229 recoveries over the past week. Dimapur accounted for the most with the district reporting 108 recoveries, Kohima- 85, Tuensang- 10, Phek- 9, Mokokchung- 8, Wokha- 7 and Peren- 2.
Vaccination
The total of COVID-19 vaccines administered in the state rose to 15.45 lakhs, inclusive of 78,602 doses in the 15-18 years age group. “4.59 lakh COVID-19 tests have been done till date since the start of the pandemic. Testing remains a vital strategy to reduce transmission and mortality, the IDSP said. The total of targeted beneficiaries, who have received the second dose rose to 8,13,553, while 21,958 people have received the precautionary third dose.
It reiterated, Vaccines are working very well against hospitalizations and deaths, but effectiveness decreases over time. Hence, 3rd dose is recommended for those at high risk— 60 plus elderly with co-morbidities and healthcare/frontline workers after 9 months of 2nd dose.”
