On National Vaccination Day (March 16), COVID-19 Vaccine CORBEVAX for age group of 12 -14 years was launched across the Country. Joining the Nation in the launch eligible beneficiaries were administrated the Vaccine in the State of Nagaland. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter@NagalandNhm)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 2
For the past 6 weeks, the COVID-19 sample positivity rate in Nagaland has remained below 2 percent with the figure further dropping to 0.5 percent for the past 3 weeks.
Only 6 new cases, from a total of 1,118 samples, were detected over the past week (March 26-Arpil 1), 4 of which were reported from Dimapur and 1 each from Wokha and Mokokchung. There were 9 recoveries, while 3 hospitalisations were reported during the same period.
March recorded a total of 69 cases compared to 2203 in January and 1003 in February 2022. The declining incidence has placed all the districts in the state at ‘level 1’ in the COVID situational chart.
One confirmed COVID death was reported from Dimapur from the week. The state Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme’s (IDSP) weekly COVID roundup, released on April 2, informed that the deceased victim had “existing co-morbidities,” while emphasising the importance of vaccination for “high risk groups” or people with co-morbidities.
Vaccine
Meanwhile, the vaccination campaign continued to slacken in pace, pointing to persisting hesitancy among the people. Only a little over 6000 doses were administered over the past week, taking the total to 15.82 lakh doses.
A total 2444 doses have been administered to the 12-14 years age group in the state with the IDSP informing that Mokokchung has the highest number of vaccinated children at 1013. A total of 94,334 doses have been administered in the 15-18 years age group.
“Even though cases have significantly declined, use of mask in public places and COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended as COVID-19 is here to stay with us and we do not exactly know when and how the next wave will be,” the IDSP cautioned.
The total of people, who have received the precautionary third dose increased to 25,222. It reiterated, “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.”
