COVID-19 infects ASHA worker in Kpi, containment zone declared
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, August 03 2020: After the COVID-19 infected almost three hundred returnees within the confines of quarantine centres, and with two reported death so far in the district, the deadly virus has encroached the district first line of defence.

A positive case was detected outside of quarantine centres for the first time, putting the Kangpokpi town in danger of community transmission.

A 60 years old ASHA worker from Kangpokpi District Headquarters Ward No 5 was found infected with the deadly virus after her sample collected on July 31 along with other ASHA workers, when the results came back yesterday evening.

COVID-19 infects ASHA worker in Kpi, containment zone declared

However, she is healthy and shows no symptoms.

The ASHA worker is among the others who are assigned duty to record temperature of inmates at various Institutional Quarantine Centres, and is also a vegetable vendor at the women market in uptown Kangpokpi DHQs.

The medical department with the assistance of Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization, Kangpokpi Youth Union and district police sealed all the entry path of Ward No 5 the same night, while the District Magistrate/DC Kangpokpi issued containment measures to prevent the spread of the disease in the area.

Subsequently, contact tracing of the patient was kicked off early morning today by the medical department led by Dr Henkhoneng Mate, DSO Kangpokpi District and Dr Paotinlal Haokip, MS in-charge District Hospital Kangpokpi along with Chunglenmang Kipgen, MCS and the help of the local civil bodies and police.

Meanwhile, the patient was shifted at a temporary isolation centre from her residence.

The identified contact persons were briefed and instructed by the medical department and district administration officials to self quarantine at home for 14 days, while the town authority taking a pivotal role instructed the contact persons to inform their respective ward Chairman of their requirements and needs during their home surveillance.

The District Deputy Commissioner, Somorjit Salam, IAS who is also the District Magistrate, issued a public notification informing that any person(s) who came in direct contact with the ASHA worker in the last one week (ie from July 25) are to inform Dr Henkhoneng Mate (8131087633) and/or Dr Paotinlal Haokip (96512324045) during hospital hours for sample collection and testing.

The IAS officer also declared containment measures in the areas of Kangpokpi Ward No 5 and sealed it, prohibiting entry and exit from the containment area.

Opening of schools, public gathering of any types and vehicle movement near the area are also banned.

With this new case outside of QC, denizens of Kangpokpi town seemed to take the lockdown guidelines and protocols seriously as the town wore a completely deserted look.

At this critical juncture, it is advised that people, mainly business persons and dealers outside Kangpokpi to not visit the town, for personal safety and for the denizens of Kangpokpi DHQs.

As on August 3 till filing of this report, the cumulative number of COVID-19 positive case in Kangpokpi District stands at 280 out of which 141 have been cured and discharged while the active case stands at 139 with two reported death in the district.