99% cases among traced contacts in the past week
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 13
The state Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Department of Health and Family Welfare, on Saturday laid emphasis on following COVID-19 appropriate behaviors as positive cases continue to rise in Nagaland.
Seven new COVID-19 cases were reported among traced contacts in Kohima on Saturday.
According to data released by the IDSP, seven other cases that had previously tested positive for the virus in Kohima have now recovered.
With this, the cumulative tally of positive cases in the state now stands at 12, 183 out of which 11, 868 have recovered and 76 are active cases. As per severity of cases, 75 active cases have been classified as ‘asymptomatic’ while one case is ‘mild.’
In its weekly bulletin issued on Saturday, the IDSP stated that a total of 839 people were tested for the virus ahead of the seventh session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, out of which 38 samples had tested positive.
“This again reaffirms that COVID-19 is here to stay and every citizen should exercise abundant precaution by following COVID-19 appropriate behaviors especially when there are high risk people involved. The only safe route back to the normal lives is through vaccines and COVID-19 appropriate behaviors,” the IDSP asserted.
Majority of cases from traced contacts
As per the bulletin, 99 per cent or 49 cases of the total 50 cases detected in the past week alone (between February 6-12) were ‘traced contacts’. The other single case was attributed to ‘Armed forces/ Security personnel.’
Overall, the highest numbers of cases are among traced contacts with 5,065 or 41 per cent, followed by armed forces and security personnel at 38 per cent or 4,674 cases and returnees/travelers with 1,871 or 15 per cent. 573 or 5 per cent of the total cases were attributed to front line workers.
Further stating that the positivity rate in Nagaland is at 9.53 per cent which is almost double the national average of 5.31 per cent, the IDSP underscored that discipline and maintenance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviors like wearing mask, washing hands frequently and maintaining physical distancing, along with vaccination were essential in order to safely return to ‘our normal lives.’
Vaccination a ‘social responsibility’
Meanwhile, a total of 11,467 healthcare and frontline workers have been vaccinated in Nagaland as on February 13, according to a statement from the State Immunisation Officer (UIP) Dr Ritu Thurr.
In this regard, the IDSP stated that vaccination not only prevents an individual from infection from the virus but also protects people around them. Even if you get infected, the vaccine will prevent severe disease, hospitalization or death, it said. Terming it as a “social responsibility,” it also assured that, “The vaccine is very safe,” and only mild and treatable side e¬ffects that are similar to adverse events observed in children after routine immunization are expected after vaccination.
Reiterating that vaccines will shorten the duration of the pandemic and help get back safely to normal lives, it added that, “No beneficiary should miss on the vaccine due to misinformation, rumors and fake messages.”
It further advised citizens to isolate themselves and get tested if they have any COVID-19 like symptoms or if they come in contact with a positive case.
“Let us protect ourselves and the vulnerable people in the community by being more careful and responsible. Let us all adopt COVID-19 appropriate behaviours during this crucial time,” it urged.
