Delay in sample collection, test result peeves TNL
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, June 04 2020: Delay in sample collection and COVID-19 test result has put the inmates at the quarantine centres as well as public at serious health risk, alleged Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), president, Hopingson A Shimray today.

Majority of the inmates from Ukhrul and Kamjong who returned from other States have not been tested for the virus yet, he said expressing disappointment against the health authorities and Government for not anticipating such fallouts before evacuating the stranded natives.

Instituting testing labs at districts would solve backlog of samples and COVID-19 tests, he said appealing the Government and authorities concerned for a testing lab and COVID care centre for Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.

Following the increase in the number of returnees from different cities of the country amid the lockdown, the quarantine centres in Ukhrul are packed with inmates.

According to TNL, over 6,955 returnees from Ukhrul and Kamjong districts were screened for COVID-19 yesterday.

Of the 6,955 people, swab samples of only 1,691 persons, including 1,342 from Ukhrul and 349 from Kamjong, were collected leaving out 5264 (3,959 from Ukhrul and 1,305 from Kamjong).

Test results of 1,101 inmates from Ukhrul and 338 from Kamjong district have come out.

The two districts have nine COVID-19 cases.

Talking about the 'untimely' sample collection and delay in test results and the possible fallouts, A Shimray said that three persons at 'village quarantine centres' in Talui and Kamjong villages have been tested positive for COVID- 19 after they were discharged from community quarantine centre.

The consequence could have been disastrous, if the cases were not detected in time before they entered the community.

Further quarantine at the village quarantine centres was effective in preventing possible community transmission of the virus, Shimray said.

Accordingly, the Tangkhul Naga Long, as preventive measure, has issued a separate ordinance for another 14 days quarantine in lieu of home quarantine within the TNL jurisdiction in order to prevent community transmission.

Those who have completed 14 days quarantine at community/institutional quarantine centres will undergo additional 14 days quarantine, Shimray said.

He further pointed out that Ukhrul has one doctor for every 2,700 persons while Kamjong has one for 4,000 .

The districts should have adequate number of doctors to effectively face the pandemic, he said appealing PHE Minister L Dikho, who is also the COVID-19 in-charge of the districts to address the issue and institute more quarantine centres to accommodate returnees coming in future.

He reiterated that each district in the State should have COVID-19 Care centre and testing lab to enhance testing capacity and help flatten the curve on time.

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