• 10-fold jump from previous week
• Positivity rate rises from 2 to 10%
• No Omicron cases detected as yet
Morung Express News
Dimapur| January 15
Nagaland recorded a 10-fold jump in new cases from the previous week, displaying early signs of resurgence. The 7-day tally for the period January 8-14 was 520, with travellers accounting for 60 percent of the new cases and cases detected through self/random tests accounting for 32 percent.
The sample positivity rate increased from 2 percent to 10 percent this week with the state integrated Disease Surveillance Programme’s (IDSP) weekly COVID roundup, released on January 17, noting that it was the first in 7 months for the week positivity to touch 10 percent. At the district level, Dimapur’s positivity was tipped at 14 percent and Tuensang’s at 12 percent.
At 457 new cases, mostly travellers, Dimapur reported 88 percent of all new cases over the past 7 days. Kohima and Tuensang also witnessed surges with 37 and 15 new cases, respectively. Other districts which reported new cases included Peren- 5, Mokokchung- 4 and 1 each in Mon and Phek.
There were no new reports of death over the past 7 days but hospitalisation of 7 COVID patients were reported in Dimapur (6) and Mokokchung (1). However, deaths do not immediately follow after a fresh surge. The IDSP cautioned, “However, hospitalizations and deaths follow only 2-3 weeks after increase in cases.”
The state also reported 90 recoveries— 88 in Dimapur and 2 in Kohima.
Nagaland has also yet to report any confirmed cases of the Omicron variant. A Health official said that it has not detected one through genome sequencing.
Vax picks up pace
After dropping consistently since late November, 2021, the vaccination campaign witnessed a sudden change in pace.
As opposed to hardly 15,000 doses administered in between December 17 to January 7, the figure for the period January 8 to 14 was 22,600 doses. This was likely fueled by the 15-17 years age group.
The IDSP informed that 16,014 teenagers, between 15-18 years, have been vaccinated since January 3. The total doses administered rose to 13.83 lakhs with 5,91,593 having received the second dose.
It also recommended a third dose. “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.”
The IDSP further informed that the vaccination campaign, which was earlier based on the Census has been changed to the Electoral Roll. It said, “Coverage is based on Electoral Roll (ECI) and is subject to accuracy of census population, migration, and other factors like vaccination of FLWs. Coverage of many districts are also affected by migration of students and citizens from rural to urban settlements like Dimapur and Kohima.”
59 new COVID cases in Nagaland
59 new COVID cases were reported in Nagaland on January 15. The new cases include 51 from Dimapur, 5 from Kohima, 2 from Peren and 1 from Phek. Of this, 37 were detected through self testing and random sampling, 12 are returnees/travelers, 6 are traced contacts and 4 are frontline workers. The total caseload of the State is now 32,834 while the number of active cases is 404.
