KOHIMA, AUGUST 13 (MExN): Nagaland Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Pangnyu Phom today reiterated that despite the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, “there is no community transmission in the State.”
Speaking at the NLA session on August 13, the Minister stated that majority of the confirmed case were among Armed Forces personnel, vigorous contact tracing is being carried out and in all positive cases the source of infection has been traced.
The Minister stated that the testing per million population for Nagaland is 21,170 per million which is higher testing rate than the national average of 18,770 per million. The test positivity rate is at 6.55 % which is lower than the national average of 8.97%, indicating that, the infection rate in the State is comparatively lower than other States.
Phom also informed on the status of COVID hospitals, COVID Care Centres and procurement of PPPs etc, in addition to ex gratia payments being set up and a recruitment drive being initiated to bolster the healthcare workforce in the State.
He informed that essential medicines worth Rs. 8.35 crore have been procured and distributed. A total of 75,000 tablets of Hydroxy Chloroquine 200 mg, and 10,000 tablets of Azithromycin 500 mg were received from Government of India.
Ten new ambulances were also procured and distributed and the State has now a total of 108 department ambulances.
He meanwhile appreciated Civil Societies, Churches, NGOs and individuals who came forward with generous contributions and joined hands with the Government.
The Health Minister also put on record that the District Task Forces of all the districts, particularly Dimapur and Kohima, which had the highest number of returnees, have put in “admirable selfless efforts in developing and managing quarantine centres for the returnees.” He further saluted the people of Tuensang and Peren districts “for showing exemplary broad-mindedness for the common good in spite of the untold inconveniences and apprehensions caused.”
Meanwhile, Phom expressed sympathies to all the bereaved families who lost their loved ones due to COVID-19 and wished speedy and full recovery to all patients.
