COVID-19 situation likely to get more critical in winter
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2020: COVID-19 situation would get more critical in the State as winter season sets in and by then, no part of the State would be left untouched by the virus as indicated by the present trend of transmission, said one top-ranking official of Health Department.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, the official said that number of positive cases would surge higher and places where no positive case has been detected so far would also be affected when the winter season sets in if the present trend of transmission goes on unhindered.

COVID-19 situation likely to get more critical in winter

Warning that the State may face a very critical situation due to dramatic surge in the positive cases, the Health official informed that authorities have been working to increase the number of beds in the COVID wards of both JNIMS and RIMS, and open more COVID Care Centres.

Taking serious note of the worsening COVID-19 situation in Imphal West district, necessary steps have been initiated to enhance contact tracing and testing activities.

Due process has also been initiated to purchase more rapid antigen test kits apart from requisitioning additional doctors, said the official.

According to a press release issued by Additional Director (Health) and COVID-19 Common Control Room spokesman Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang, 152 people including 19 CAPF personnel were tested positive for the virus during the last 24 hours at RIMS, JNIMS, Christian Hospital, CMC, Bishnupur, Imphal Hospital, Ukhrul, Raj Medicity, Mothers Care, IRL, Babina Diagnostic Centre, Imphal West RAT, Thoubal, Shija Hospital, Churachandpur, Imphal East and Kakching.

Of the 133 civilians who have been tested positive, 49 belong to Imphal West, 24 to Imphal East, four to Tengnoupal, 20 to Thoubal, six to Ukhrul, one to Kangpokpi, one to Chandel, seven to Churachandpur, one to Senapati, 18 to Kakching and one to Bishnupur.

Out of them, 101 have no history of travelling outside the State.

In the meantime, 53 persons who have been undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at CCC Lamboi Khongnangkhong (20), RIMS (7), Chandel (4), JNIMS (3) and CAPF (19) have been discharged during the last 24 hours after they were found COVID-19 free.

The cumulative figure of COVID-19 positive cases in the State has reached 6112 (general population 4552, Central security personnel 1560) including 1845 active cases (general population 1116, Central security personnel 729) and 4239 discharged cases (general population 3410, Central security personnel 829) .

Of the total 6112 positive cases detected so far, 2229 were infected through local transmission while 1561 people were infected inside camps of armed forces.

Modes of infection regarding 44 cases could not be ascertained till date.

With a total of 921, Delhi tops the list of Indian cities/States from where returnees to the State have been tested positive for COVID-19.Bangalore (260), Mumbai (233), Chennai (186) and Assam (111) occupy the next four positions.

Gender-wise, 4329 males and 1783 females have been infected by the contagion so far in the State.

Meanwhile, sources at Imphal West district administration said 28 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 today on RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) .

Among them, 2 each are from Uripok Mayai Liekai and Keishampat Leimajam Leikai and 5 are from Ngari Galli.

As many as 555 samples were tested today at JNIMS and 18 tested positive for the virus while 13 were found positive for COVID-19 on RAT in Thoubal district, said sources in the Health Department.

On the other hand, after one person who visited Community Health Centre (CHC) Yairipok for health check-up tested positive for COVID-19, the CHC has been closed for 48 hours.

All staff who came into contact with the person are undergoing quarantine at the CHC and the premises of the centre is being sanitised.

The person who tested positive for COVID-19 is a resident of Angtha, Yairipok, said a statement of the CHC.