Kohima DTF prepares for ‘third wave’

Kohima, January 12 (MExN): In view of the surge in Covid cases in several parts of the country, Kohima District Task Force (DTF) on COVID-19 had a meeting  chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie on January 12. 

The meeting had a general discussion on the current situation and preparedness of the district for the third wave and noted that with the past two wave experiences, the district is well prepared with the set up put in NHAK, Covid Care Centres, Testing Centre and other medical centres for any eventualities, a DIPR report informed. 

However, The DTF also decided to take up activities for preventive measures in the district.

On the agenda of social health responsibility, Chief Medical Officer, Kohima, Dr Vezokholu Theyo said that the omicron variant has very high transmissibility where patients with co-morbidities would be highly affected.

To this end, she stressed on the importance of finding out the number of co-morbidities among the community and the DTF has decided to hold a meeting with all wards and panchayats in order to tackle the situation in a more effective manner, the report said.  

District Immunisation Officer Kohima Dr Rupert Peseyie also highlighted on the district Covid vaccination status including the rolled out vaccination for the age group of 15 - 18 years till date. 

He informed that special sessions on request for schools and colleges were also to be taken up. 

Precautionary dose or boaster dose for the frontline/health care workers and 60+ with co-morbidities who have completed 9 months or 39 weeks after taking the second dose will also be taken up in due course of time, he said.  

Dr Shiela Lkr, Surveillance Medical Officer, WHO also shared on the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) with its goal to achieve maximum coverage of routine immunisation on booth day i.e January 23 with 80% coverage and two days of house to house day.

She also informed on mission Indradhanush programme for three months starting from February 7, March 7 and April 4 to ensure the increase of immunisation coverage in the district, the report added. 

DC Kohima issues guidelines on COVID-19

a)    Social, political, religious, entertainment, academic, cultural gatherings and all other kind of public gatherings shall be restricted and allowed up to 50% capacity, or up to a maximum of 200 persons, whichever is lower, and subject to all the participants being asymptomatic, and being fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19. In case there is an unavoidable need to have bigger gatherings, due permission of the Kohima District Task Force (DTF) on COVID-19 may be sought.
b)    Night curfew stands imposed from 09:00 PM to 05:00 AM with effect from 9th January 2022 in Kohima district. However, goods vehicles transiting the State without any stopovers, movement due to medical and other emergencies, agricultural purposes, and any other movement permitted by the Kohima District Task Force (DTF) on COVID-19 will be exempted from the purview of night curfew.
c)    Malls, shopping complexes, restaurants, gymnasiums, cinema halls/theatres, parks, places of entertainment, recreation areas, etc, within Kohima  district shall be permitted to open/operate up to 50% capacity, and all the visitors/ staff and all other concerned should be asymptomatic, and fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19.
d)    Any person entering the State through Kohima district, above 12 years or age, including those fully vaccinated, shall be required to carry a negative COVID-19 test report done through RT-PCR/ True Nat/CBNAAT with the swab given for testing not earlier than 3 (three) days of the date of arrival in the State. If the incoming traveler is not carrying a negative COVID-19 test report, or has a negative report, but is symptomatic, or is below 12 years of age and symptomatic, then he/she will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 at Government approved rates at the point of entry in the State, and the person concerned will be in home/paid quarantine till the declaration of the test result. The aforesaid provisions will come into effect from 10th January 2022.
e)    The physical /offline classes for students studying up to Class V Ill stand suspended/ closed till 3 1 st January 2022 in Kohima district.
f)    Any student of Class IX and above, and who has completed 15 years of age, shall be allowed to take admission, or attend regular/ online classes in Kohima district, only if he/she has taken at least one dose of vaccine against COVID- 19.
g)    All applications may be sent to warroomkohima@gmail.com. Helpline Nos. 6033833879/9362705742 may also be contacted for any assistance

Any person/ group of persons acting in violation of the above directions, as well all the other existing orders/ SOPs/ guidelines, for preventing the spread of COVID-19, shall be liable to be prosecuted against under the relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides action under Section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.

(DIPR)