Public co-operation must to defeat COVID 19: CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 13 2020: Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said that the State is in a good position to face the disease successfully.

As the disease has infected and killed lakhs of people across the globe, countries including India are now facing the pandemic's impact and fallouts.

"Fortunately for Manipur, the disease has not claimed a single life till today.

The Government and the health authorities are putting in the best efforts to fight the virus and bring the number of active cases to zero," said the Chief Minister while speaking to The Sangai Express and emphasised that the State's success over the disease needs public cooperation.

Public co-operation must to defeat COVID 19: CM

Self precaution and taking up all preventive measures sincerely by following the COVID-19 safety guidelines is a must to avoid infection and aid the State fight the coronavirus.

"When venturing outside, we should compulsorily wear face masks, avoid public and crowded places, maintain physical distance and wash hands with soap or use hand sanitiser.

These are the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation and health authorities to defeat the virus.

All should follow these simple guidelines with sincerity and honesty.

Self precaution and taking up these preventive measures is the only way we can face and defeat this virus until a cure is available," said N Biren.

Disturbed by the clash between the inmates and cops yesterday at a quarantine centre in Kangpokpi, N Biren said the inmates should not cause obstacles for the cops and healthcare workers who are there to actually help them overcome the virus/disease.

All the people of the State, especially the inmates of quarantine centres should understand the nature of the virus and its impact on the society.

Treating the infected patients is the responsibility of the Government and health authority.

Even though inmates have many grievances, they should understand that being obstacles to the efforts of the health authority would only worsen the situation at hand.

When they object to infected inmates being shifted to COVID Care Centre, they are impeding the treatment procedure increasing the risk of the virus spread among themselves.

Inmates should act reasonably and responsibly, he said.

N Biren continued that the Government understands the grievances of the inmates and the public.

Even though the Government is not able to address every issue, it is trying its best to defeat the virus and make the State return to normalcy.

Inmates and the public must have patience and tolerate some of the petty problems they are facing for the greater good of society.

Having a little patience and sincerely cooperating with the frontline workers would help the State come out of this global health crisis more quickly, he said.

Responding to questions about the mission, the Government launched that brought back stranded State natives via Shramik Special trains, N Biren said that the Government was fully aware that the number of cases would rise with increasing returnees.

"The Government was aware that it would face difficulties in managing the returnees and the number of cases could go up.

Nonetheless, it was the responsibility of the Government to bring back the stranded natives and ensure their safety.

The Government couldn't turn a blind eye to them.

It was the right thing to do," he said.

Admitting that the health authorities had faced immense hardship with loads of backlog samples earlier when the evacuation mission was at its peak, N Biren said that the State's testing capacity has improved significantly now.

"The State's COVID testing capacity has improved significantly and the health authorities are treating the infected patients successfully at all designated hospitals and COVID Care Centres in districts," he said.

When asked about the situation in Jiribam, N Biren said that the district administration and the health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking up all preventive and containment measures.

"The situation in Jiribam is unfortunate.

However, all necessary measures are in place to face the virus.

The State committee on COVID-19 is monitoring the developments in the district," he said.

Whether, lockdown would be extended further after July 15 in Jiribam will be announced later, N Biren said.

When the State's priority remains treating the infected patients and flattening the curve, people should protect themselves by following the safety guidelines with all sincerity, he added.