CM flags off mass Covid testing drive
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 01 2021: With the aim of early detection and early medication to flatten the COVID-19 curve, Chief Minister N Biren Singh today flagged off "Aggressive Mass COVID-19 Testing drive in Imphal West" from the Health Directorate, Lamphelpat.

The mass testing drive is organised by the district administration, Imphal West.

Different teams consisting of medical staff will proceed to different locations around Imphal West district to conduct the mass testing.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that he felt proud of the spirit and courage shown by frontline workers including doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff while rendering their endless services to save the lives of people from the pandemic.

He added that as the Indian Army sacrifices their lives in protecting the sovereignty of the motherland in many instances, health workers do take an important role in saving people's lives in this crucial hour of the pandemic.

CM flags off mass Covid testing drive

Stating that the Government has been putting in every possible effort to fight COVID-19, Biren maintained that mass testing and mass vaccination drive was taken up to prevent the State from moving towards any uncontrollable situation.

Maintaining that saving precious lives of people is the priority in this hour, he appealed to the public to cooperate with the mass testing drive so that early medication could follow.

He stated that positive cases would rise for some days with the beginning of mass testing, however it would come down gradually.

He further informed that he had advised sitting MLAs of all 60 Assembly Constituencies to set up Community Isolation Centres within their respective Assembly Constituencies for accommodating COVID-19 positive patients which are likely to increase with the mass testing drive.

Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West Th Kirankumar stated that the district administration was launching the mass testing drive under the direction of the Chief Minister to curb the spread of the pandemic.

He further said that around 3,500 to 5000 testing will be done every day for the next 15 days during the mass testing drive to identify positive cases and take necessary measures.

He added that such step would help in bringing down the number of positive cases in the following days.

He expressed his thankfulness to the State Health Department, Manipur University, Heritage Convent, Uripok, local clubs and others for their support and cooperation in such initiative.

The flagging off ceremony was attended by Advisor to Chief Minister (Health) Dr Sapam Ranjan, Principal Secretary V Vumlunmang, officials of district administration, Imphal West and Medical Directorate among others.

It may be mentioned that the Aggressive Mass COVID-19 Testing drive will be held at Kumari High School, Hiyangthang; Mutum Phibou UPS, Mutum Phibou; Manipur University; Langthabal Khoupum Community Hall; Ibudhou Pakhangba Community Hall, Konthoujam Makha Leikai; Thangtek Yangoi Ningthou Community Hall; Moidangpok Awang Community Hall; Awang Leikai Community Hall, Patsoi Part-II; Patsoi Part-III Community Hall; Hindi Secondary School, Kanglatongbi; Heirangoithong Community Hall and Khomdram Selungba Community Hall, Thangmeiband apart from those testing centres at TG Hr Secondary School and Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.

Out of 1758 people tested for COVID-19 (RAT) at 15 mass testing centres, 156 were found positive which means the positivity rate is 8.87 per cent.

Data for samples collected at TG Higher Secondary School and sent to RIMS for RT-PCR test and their results as well as RT-PCR tests conducted at private hospitals would not be reflected in the RAT test figure.

According to information received from Imphal West district administration, the number of test conducted at the mass testing centres is likely to rise considerably in the coming days.

Being the first day of the drive, less number of people turned up at the testing centres and adequate number of medical teams could not be deputed, according to the district administration.

All the 119 people subjected to RAT at Heirangoithong in collaboration with the Social Welfare Club (SWC) were found negative for Covid.

Likewise, not a single person was found positive even as 170 people were tested for COVID-19 at Mutum Phibou.