Manipur: Health Minister rules out COVID lockdown despite rising cases

State logs 77 fresh cases with 13.6% TPR

Newmai News Network
Imphal | July 14

Manipur Health and Family Welfare minister, Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh on Thursday ruled out COVID-19 lockdown in the state where a sharp rise in the infection of the disease was recorded presently.

Following a sharp rise in the COVID-19 infection in the last one week with daily test positivity rate breaching 15% in the last three days, the state government closed down all the government schools till July 24.

Talking to reporters on the sideline of a function here, the minister said that for the time being the state government has no plan to impose a lockdown.

However, the state government is considering taking up measures to check the spread of the disease which will not affect normal activities.

"The main concern is the low vaccination rate", the minister said, adding that the vaccination rate of the state is very low when compared to the other states.

The COVID-19 is yet to be over. But, a large number of populations in the state are still not taking the first dose of the vaccine, he said, while appealing to those who are yet to take the first dose not to hesitate in taking the vaccine.

To mention here, as per the latest vaccination status of the state Health department, only 62.03% of the total eligible population of the state, that is16,00,547 people, have got the first dose of the vaccine so far while 53.44% of the eligible population received the second dose.

A total of 29,92,986 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine including 1,22,973 precautionary doses  have been administered in the state so far.