• Positivity rate has increased from 4% to 11% in 2 weeks
• Recent surge increasingly seen among younger people
• Health Department cautions public against complacency
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 13 (MExN): While the State Government, in line with the Centre’s Unlock 4.0 guidelines, has decided on a phased reopening of the state with many restrictions relaxed, the Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Department has cautioned the public against misconstruing it as an improving pandemic situation.
A public notice from Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie, Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare said that there has been a recent surge in the number of cases in Nagaland.
He informed that the positivity rate (percentage of positive test results out of samples tested) had fallen to 4% during August 22 to 29, after which it has increased to 6% during August 30 to September 4, which further increased to 11% during September 5 to 11.
“Majority of the positive cases are among males (83%) in the age groups 30 to 44 years of age (45%) and 15 to 29 years of age (37%),” Dr Soukhrie said. Meanwhile, most common places of spread are office and household contacts, followed by students.
It was further revealed that apart from the armed forces, the recent surge was increasingly seen among the younger age group.
He assured that the department continues to work towards maintaining optimum facilities for management of moderate and severe COVID-19 patients, however, it is imperative that the general public take equal responsibility in adopting and practicing preventive and precautionary measures to check the spread of COVID-19 infection.
These include self reporting for any COVID-like symptoms: fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, loss of smell/taste; wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing and avoiding crowded places, close contact settings, and closed/enclosed spaces.
Adherence to safety protocols in offices, market places, public transport, and maintenance of home quarantine/isolation safety measures are of paramount importance to prevent the spread of infection, the Principal Director stated.
“Familiarity with colleagues, family members, and friends should not lead to complacency as the infection is mainly spread among known contact persons who may have no symptom,” he added. He further called for discipline among the young and mobile groups of people in following the safety precautionary measures as they are less likely to have symptoms and therefore become less careful but can spread to the high risk individuals (Elderly ≥ 65 years of age, those with other chronic diseases, and people with weaker immunity).
The Principal Director asked every citizen and proprietor/management of both public and private establishments to follow precautionary and preventive measures issued by the Government from time to time to check the transmission of COVID-19.
He reminded that any violation of the government orders on lockdown measures is punishable as per the relevant section of the Disaster Management Act 2005, and the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations 2020.
19 new cases detected, 61 recoveries
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 13 (MExN): 19 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in Nagaland out of 563 samples tested on September 13. Of these, 16 are in Dimapur, 2 in Mokokchung and 1 in Kohima. The new cases include 9 security personnel, 5 returnees/travelers and 5 traced contacts. Meanwhile, the State reported 61 recoveries, taking the total number of recoveries to 3,883. As of September 13, the total number of cases in the State stands at 5,083, of which 1,172 are active cases. The death toll remains at 8.
