Two more samples sent, restrictions on Thabal Chongba mulled
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 04 2020:
With coronavirus 2019 spreading fast and wide, the State Health Department sent two more samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune to ascertain whether there is any case of the highly contagious virus in the State.
Even as the two samples (one male and one female, including a ground staff of AAI) were sent to NIV Pune, the Health Ministry intimated the State Govt to take up more stringent preventive measures against COVID-19, said a source.
Notably, 10 samples sent from the State earlier for COVID-19 test to NIV Pune were found to be negative.
Meanwhile the number of people kept under surveillance of the Health Dept has reached 357.These people have travel history of coming back from China and other foreign countries recently.
On the other hand, a technical committee has been constituted to deal with COVID-19 in case the highly contagious disease breaks out in the State.
Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu has convened a meeting with officials of Health Department and other relevant departments on COVID-19 and its preventive measures tomorrow afternoon.
Meanwhile, the State Health Department has been considering imposing restrictions on organising Thabal Chongba, sports festivals and other public gathering during Yaoshang in view of the highly contagious nature of COVID-19.At the suggestion of the Health Department, the State Government has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs to seal the State's border with Myanmar, sources informed.
A technical committee to be headed by the Health Services Director as chairman and the State Health Mission Director as co-chairman will also be formed.
HoDs of Community Medicine, Microbiology, Pulmonary, Respiratory, Medicine and Paediatric departments of both RIMS and JNIMS are members.