CM confirms Delta variant of Covid-19 in state
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, June 18 2021: A day after the official report stated that 495 persons have been found infected with COVID-19, the second time in a fortnight that the daily cases dipped under the 500-mark, chief minister N Biren has confirmed first cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the virus in the state.

Speaking after launch of AYUSH-64, a poly-herbal formulation on Friday, the CM revealed that 20 samples were sent for testing in a Hyderabad laboratory to help identify the virus variant causing rapid spread of positive cases in the state.

Out of the said sample, 18 turned out to be of Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, he said, adding that this variant had been the major cause of the rapid spread.

Following the newly found variant of COVID-19 virus, more samples from the state have now been sent for testing, the CM said.

While informing that patients under home isolation would be provided additional medicines useful in treatment of this variant along with provision of 20 triple-layer masks each and hand sanitizer with extra medicines with immediate, Biren also appealed to the public to come up with constructive criticisms and encourage the work of health and frontline workers rather than just pointing out mistakes and taking up negative propaganda in this crucial hour of the pandemic.

It may be mentioned that the Delta variant has been classified as a 'variant of concern' by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the various mutations that the COVID-19 virus infections are prevalent in the country, the Delta variant is reportedly to be more transmittable, more virulent and causes many complications among the people.

According to reports, this variant was first identified in India and it was termed as a 'variant of concern' by the WHO.

Commenting on AYUSH-64 which was launched in a simple programme organised by the Directorate of AYUSH at the CM's Secretariat, he explained that the poly-herbal medicine can be used in the treatment of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and those with mild and moderate symptoms.

Biren also stated that the use of AYUSH-64 (tablet) had been approved by the Ministry of AYUSH by adults (above 18 years of age) in treatment of COVID-19.Maintaining that the tablet had been approved after proper clinical trials, he said that it is purely organic and will not have any side effects.

Reiterating that saving precious lives of the people is the utmost priority of the government, he further urged people not to believe in misleading information regarding the pandemic and to get vaccinated at the earliest.

The CM also urged the public to be more careful and follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour and Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Government from time to time to prevent infection from the new variant and stressed the need to be more responsible on the part of the public and even to not go to public spaces until he or she gets vaccinated.

He further state that the state government has been taking up all the necessary measures to curb the spread of the pandemic and also sought support of all the stakeholders in its fight against it.

It may be mentioned that Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Kiren Rijiju had earlier launched the AYUSH-64 on May 7 this year for nationwide distribution campaign for benefit of the vast majority of out-of-hospital COVID-19 patients.

The Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) had also recently completed a robust Multi Centre Clinical Trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AYUSH-64 in the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.

It was found that AYUSH-64 reduces the duration for clinical recovery in terms of diseases, symptoms and severity.

Among others, agriculture minister Oinam Lukhoi, education minister Sorokhaibam Rajen, advisor to CM (health) Dr Sapam Ranjan, deputy chairman of Manipur State Planning Board L Rameshwor, MANIREDA chairman Ginsuanhau Zou, Loktak Development Authority chairman L Susindro, Kshetrigao MLA Nahakpam Indrajit, Wangjing-Tentha MLA Paonam Brojen, principal secretary (health) V Vumlunmang and AYUSH director Dr A Guneshwor Sharma also attended the programme among others.

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