The virus is still very much alive and killing : The days of positive cases
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 26, 2025 -
At least three States in India have reported a surge in new COVID-19 cases taking the total number of active cases to 257.
At least five deaths have also been reported in the last five days and Manipur has every reason to be on the guard.
Among the new cases, India has recorded infection by the new strain NB.1.8.1 and four cases of the LF.7 type.
Cause for worry but it is worth noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 sub-variants as variants under monitoring and not as variants of concern.
Under monitoring are the key words here and Manipur would need to take note of the tone of concern in these two words.
The Sangai Express still remembers the day when the first Covid positive case was detected on a young girl returning from the UK in March, 2020 and leikai vigilantes took it upon themselves to block all the roads and by-lanes passing through, as if that would have stopped the virus from spreading.
The vigilantism continued and increased as the number of infections spread but there is no indication that any lesson was learnt from the foolhardiness or foolishness of flexing one's muscle in one's locality, a trait that came out in all it ugliness at the height of the ethnic clash after May 3, 2023 and stretching into 2024.
It is encouraging to note the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences responding promptly to the unfolding situation across the country and coming out with its SOP.
Nothing different from the earlier SOPs issued during the height of the Covid pandemic, but it is significant to note that RIMS has been sensitive enough to respond in good time.
Appealing all visitors to RIMS hospital to wear the face mask, making it mandatory for people having flu like symptoms and their attendants, consult doctor promptly in case of any flu like illnesses including cold, cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue and to stick to the one line Biblical Covid code, thoroughly wash one's hand with soap and water or with an alcohol hand based hand sanitiser.
Mild is the term RIMS has preferred to use to refer to the new Covid strain, but remember WHO has already termed it as variant under monitoring and no chances should be taken by the authority concerned.
One wonders, what steps Raj Bhavan is likely to take or whether it will rest easy with the SOPs issued by the National Health Ministry.
One also wonders whether any monitoring unit will be set up at BT Airport in line with the need of the time or whether a line will be awaited from the Centre to declare the new outbreak as an epidemic.
That the virus was likely to land anytime in India was evident from the fact that a new Wave was already spreading across Hong Kong and Singapore, a report of which The Sangai Express had carried on May 17.
The virus knows no geo-political boundary and no fencing or keeping the road blocked would be able to keep off the virus.
A lesson Manipur learnt the hard way back in 2020 and 2021.
One just has to recall the days when the positivity rate crossed the double digit mark and stayed like that for days on end and for a place like Manipur with a small population a positivity rate of over 15 percent was more than enough to strain the healthcare infrastructure to its limits, a point which became clear during the deadly second wave when the Delta variant struck with such venom.
It "was back then that Manipur recorded over 2120 deaths due to the virus with over 1,37,162 people infected.
Oxygen plants were also set up across the health centres and' one wonders whether these units are still functional or not.
A relook at these oxygen plants would surely help the people and the place to prepare better for any eventuality.
The public too should be ready for any eventuality and not forget to stick to the SOPs that have been announced and are likely to be announced soon.
Stay safe is one line that comes to mind and the mantra that is out there to ward off the virus would obviously be to stay away from crowds and always wear a face mask when out in public places.
And wash one's hand regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser.
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