Emerging hotspot Jiri records 7 fresh cases, doctor tests positive
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 09 2020: Jiribam continues to be the latest hotspot for COVID-19 infection in the State with seven more testing positive today including three police personnel.

One lady doctor of JNIMS also tested positive for the virus, according to a late evening report.

Four cases, all women, are family members of VDF personnel who tested positive earlier.

The Sangai Express had carried a report that the four persons, with no travel history, are suspected to have tested positive in its July 8 report.

The three police personnel on the other hand tested positive today, said sources.

Emerging hotspot Jiri records 7 fresh cases, doctor tests positive

Following the rapid rise in the number of infection amongst police and VDF personnel, the State Health Department has instructed the District Surveillance Officer of Jiribam to keep all those who have come into contact with the positive persons under strict quarantine.

When DGP LM Khaute was contacted late in the evening today with the question what would be done if majority of the police personnel at Jiribam are quarantined, the officer said that suitable arrangements would be put into place to keep the police station operational.

With this the total number of infection in the district has reached 51 .

Significantly rapid testing of the virus at the district started from yesterday.

On the other hand, the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the State has reached 1453 with 18 new cases detected today.

With six more persons discharged today, the number of recovered patients has climbed to 799 .

The State now has 658 active cases.

Spokesperson of COVID-19 Common Control Room and Additional Director (Health) Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang informed that 15 new cases were detected at JNIMS (10 cases), RIMS (1) and Jiribam District Hospital (4) .

Report of the three other cases from Jiribam came late in the evening.

The remaining 11 cases, excluding the seven cases of Jiribam, hail from Bishnupur (1), Churachandpur (8), Imphal East (1) and Tamenglong (1) .

On the other hand, the six recovered cases were discharged from CCC Meitram (4), CCC Ukhrul (1) and CCC Kasom Khullen (1) .

Taking the rising cases in Jiribam into consideration, a State COVID-19 technical expert team is assessing and closely monitoring the situation in Jiribam district.

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is on in full swing, said sources in the Health Department.

The team led by Joint Director Health Department, Dr Sucheta Sinam has discussed measures to be taken up in the district to contain the virus with Deputy Commissioner and SP .

A COVID Crisis Management Committee of the district headed by Deputy Commissioner, Malemnanba Chenglei has been formed and active surveillance has started, said the sources adding the proposed 100 bedded COVID Care Centre at Model School at Harinagar will start functioning on July 13 .

A member of the expert team, RIMS Community Medicine Head Professor AK Brogen is conducting a scientific study to flatten the curve while Health Department Deputy Director Dr Y Premchand is giving training to the doctors, nurses and health care workers in the district on COVID-19.On the other hand, the rapid antigen test in the district is being supervised by Microbiologist H Shyamkumar, added the sources.

The rapid COVID-19 testing was started after a cluster of cases were detected among the security personnel of Jiribam Police Station.

At least 39 including cops and VDF personnel have been confirmed for COVID-19 at Jiribam.